Flight Operations: NCAA withholds TAL’s licence renewal

The NCAA says it has withheld Tropical Arctic Logistics (TAL)’s licence renewal because it failed to meet its Standards And Recommended Practices (SARPs).

News Agency of Nigeria • August 10, 2021

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it has withheld Tropical Arctic Logistics (TAL)’s licence renewal because it failed to meet its Standards And Recommended Practices (SARPs).

The NCAA’s director-general, Musa Nuhu, disclosed this while speaking with aviation correspondents in Lagos on Monday.

The NCAA boss stated this in reaction to TAL’s Chief Operating Officer, Femi Adeniji’s allegation on AOC’s issuance and renewal.

Mr Nuhu stated that despite the allegation, the authority would not compromise the enforcement of SARPs on the issuance and renewal of all AOC.

The director-general added that this was one of the main reasons the country had attained FAA IASA category one, in the first instance.

Mr Nuhu further noted that the regulatory body would continue to operate within its mandate for safe, secure, and efficient industry, as enshrined in the 2006 Civil Aviation Act.

On the non-renewal of TAL’s AOC by NCAA, he pointed out that the company did not meet the requirements for renewal of the AOC. According to the NCAA boss, TAL does not have three out of four key nominated post holders.

The director-general explained that the missing key personnel included the director of maintenance, director of flight operations, and chief pilot.

“In addition, the operator is yet to comply with COVID-19 Industry Restart Programme like all other industry players did before receiving approval to resume operations,” stated Mr Nuhu.

He explained that the AOC processes were not peculiar to the country as it is an International Civil Aviation Organisations (ICAO) requirement.

“This is contained in the ICAO Annex Six, Parts one and three and ICAO Document 8335, captured in Nig.CARS 2015, Part nine on AOC Certification. These strict regulations are to ensure only qualified applicants are granted AOC,” added Mr Nuhu. “This is one of the main reasons Nigeria attained FAA IASA Category One in the first instance. Nig.CARS 2015 are established with the participation and consultation of all industry stakeholders and must be fully complied with until such a time when the regulations are reviewed.”

(NAN)