January 16, (THEWILL) – Aviation Professionals under the aegis of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), have proposed amendments to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).
They are seeking an urgent review of part 9: Air Operator Certification (AOC) and Administration, bordering on the issuance or denial of AOC, whereby another layer of scheduled operator licensing is urgently initiated for operators whose total fleet seats should not be more than 100.
The experts, however, added that, on exceeding 100 seats such operators must apply for the prevailing category of AOC which will go through all the necessary certification processes as may be applicable.
AOC is the approval granted by a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to an aircraft operator to allow it to use aircraft for commercial purposes. This requires the operator to have personnel, assets and systems in place to ensure the safety of its employees and the flying public. The certificate lists the approved aircraft types, each registration number approved to fly, the approved flying purpose and in what area the holder may operate, such as specific airports or geographic regions.
The proposal was contained in an official statement issued Wednesday, signed by ASRTI General Secretary, Olumide Ohunayo.
It stated, “we believe this approach will encourage and stimulate the growth of new entrant low-cost carriers who will be granted fee exemptions and tax holidays. It can also encourage the existing carriers to set up subsidiaries that are independently managed and complementary. Just like we have in the United States of America, Part 135 for commuter and Demand Operations vis-a-vis. Part 121 OperationsOur proposal is not for the NCAA to create a restricted airline operation with stringent safety regulations to encourage new entrants into operations that would expand airport access and create new markets”
They listed some of the benefits of such a move, including: more aircraft and jobs for different professionals in the industry, improved use of airports otherwise termed unviable or dormant in this Nigeria, increased use of our air space, increased patronage and the enplanement of passengers and cargo.
Other benefits, according to the body are increased revenue to all agencies and the entire aviation value chain, increased aviation contribution to the country’s GDP and the possibilities of veritable ground for training pilots, engineers and allied professionals.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
