Our duty is to protect airlines to remain in business – NCAA

The Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Michael Achimugu, says NCAA has a duty to protect airlines and keep them in business.

Mr. Achimugu said the duty – protection – is very important, not because of the airlines, but for the sake of air passengers so as to keep the industry functioning.

The NCAA Director stated this on X today while reacting to the expectation of people that an airline, Air Peace, should be kicked out of business because of infraction, asking “As for Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest domestic carrier, what do you think would happen to travellers if the airline is suddenly kicked out of business because they have committed some infractions?”

Achimugu, who admitted that there are challenges plaguing the industry, said “the problem here is that people expect that an airline should be kicked out of business in a capacity-deficient industry like ours.

“The NCAA has a duty to also protect our carriers and keep them in business, not just for their own sake, but for the sake of air passengers who need  the industry to keep functioning while we continue to increase capacity and infrastructure.

“If anyone expects that the NCAA will kick out any still-viable domestic operator when financial and safety audits do not indicate that the airline is no longer able to operate safely, it is not happening.

“I admit that we have challenges. But we are in a much better place than where the industry was before @fkeyamo assumed office.”

He boldly in the history of aviation in Nigeria, this was the first time that airlines were being sanctioned over infractions, saying it is an improvement for the industry.

“For the first time in the history of civil aviation in Nigeria, airlines are now being sanctioned for consumer protection-related infractions. That’s an improvement. Nigeria also recorded, last year, its highest volume of ticket refunds and compensations ever.

“In my department, we met officers so depressed and disillusioned, they didn’t want to work. Today, they are proud to work, day and night, and they are not just achieving results, but the NCAA Consumer Protection Department is the best and most active in Africa!

“The Honourable Minister and DGCA, Captain Chris Najomo are peeling back the layers, one after the other, until the industry is where it ought to be. Let’s appreciate not just the effort but the results.

“It will happen, what we desire. But it will not happen overnight. When Keyamo visited aircraft manufacturers, ignorant people laughed at him. Today, the global aviation ecosystem is ready to partner with Nigeria. We have signed the Cape Town Convention Practice Direction and IDERA. Lessors are now willing to dry-lease to our operators.

“As more aircraft arrive the country, we will move past the capacity problem and move on to other areas that need attention.

“Take Innoson Motors for example. In the beginning, everyone doubted the quality of their vehicles. I dont know if their vehicles are great now, since I don’t own one, but I know for sure that the company is doing well because the Federal government, state governments, and other notable citizens have rallied behind the company, patronising and supporting. That brand now produces more categories of vehicles than it used to.

“This is what it means to support local brands. One of Festus Keyamo’s 5-point agenda is support for local operators. The results are becoming manifest. We must be patient. Aviation is not a Plain-Jane motor garage business.

“While acknowledging your valid concerns, we must be acquaint ourselves with the workings of the industry. Today’s NCAA is not afraid of ANY airline.

“His Excellency, the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made aviation the center of his economic plans. He will not allow any operator to ridicule his working plan.”