The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Tuesday in Abuja said it has reviewed penalties upwards for violators in the Aviation sector with the maximum penalty for airlines standing at N10 million while the minimum is N1 million.
NCAA noted that the upward review of penalties is not punitive but was guided by current realities in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
NCAA also said Air Operator Certificate (AOC) license for airlines offering scheduled flight operations will now be valid for 5 years as against the three years the regulation previously allowed.
It added that for non-scheduled operators like private jets operators, their license will now be valid for three years.
The Director General of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, made the disclosure during the opening session of a three-day consultative meetings with stakeholders in the Nigeria aviation industry to brainstorm on the proposed amendment of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2015.
According to him, there are also plans to increase the validity of Airlines Operating Certificate (AOC) to 5 years to avoid disruption in the operation of airlines, adding that fees and charges had not been updated since 2009.
Nuhu revealed that the Stakeholders’ Consultation is in accordance with the obligation imposed on the Authority in Section 31(5) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022 which states that “in the exercise of its power to make regulations under this section, the Authority shall consult with stakeholders including airlines, aerodrome operators, air traffic control service providers, consumers and other relevant bodies and organizations in the aviation industry.
He said: “It is with great joy that I welcome every one of you to the Stakeholders’ consultation on the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs), organized by Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) coming shortly after the publication of the Civil Aviation Act 2022.
“The purpose of the proposed amendment is to bring the regulations up to the current standards in line with international best practices, stressing that the Nigerian aviation industry is currently underserved.
“As required by Article 37 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Adoption of International Standards and Procedures), these Regulations are made to cover and domesticate all ICAO Standards that are contained in the relevant Annexes. The regulations also address pertinent national matters.
“Stakeholders are invited to note that all comments received from stakeholder pursuant to the Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPA) published on 12th February 2023 in accordance with approved NCAA rule making process manual will be responded to by the NCAA.”
Speaking on delay in the processing of AME licences, medical certificates, issuance of temporary license, he noted that NCAA was in the process of fully automating the licence processes. A software he said is being acquired by the authority.
Nuhu however said: “I am optimistic that during these three days of deliberation, the aviation professionals and experts present physically or virtually will assist the Authority to derive a near perfect Regulations for the advancement of Civil Aviation in Nigeria”
Also speaking, Engr. Godwin Balong Bagasoo, the Chairman CAA Regulations Committee, said the journey of the amendment started in August 2021, when the DG took note of challenges in rule making process take up to five years, and decided to make it and more robust by overhauling the regulation.
Bagasoo said the Committee received over 20 comments from individuals, corporate organizations and stakeholders, which NCAA responded to and would publish on its website, adding that while the old regulation was in 20 parts, this new proposed regulation comes in 21 parts, each of which is structured in three parts.
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