The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed an applicable sanction on Aero Contractors Airlines in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).
Though,the specific sanction was not revealed but the agency stated that it runs into millions of naira.
The sanction was made known in an online statement signed by the Acting General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye and made available to aviation correspondents.
Adurogboye explained that a letter by the Director General of the regulatory authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman had conveyed the sanction to the airline.
Usman stated that the action of Aero Contractors Airline in allowing the use of a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 – 500 aircraft in a non-emergency situation was contrary to its approved aircraft handling manual.
The Director General added that Aero’s action was a violation of Part 9.2.4.2(b) of NCARs which part attracts a civil penalty, adding that during the investigation of the incident all relevant agencies made useful submissions.
The DG continued in the letter that ‘’in view of the safety implications of your action you are hereby sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of Part 20.2.3(15) of the NCARs. Although the incident did not result in any mishap, the aircraft is airworthy and the Crew well qualified to operate the flight. However, it is viewed as a breach and resultantly a fine running into millions of naira have been clamped on the airline to serve as deterrence and to forestall any similar infraction by any other airline operator.”
The NCAA boss stated that in addition, the Captain of the flight was similarly fined for failing to comply with the provisions contained in the aircraft manual.
NCAA reiterated its earlier warning that all airlines should endeavour to adhere strictly to NCARs.
Recalled that Aero had used ladder to disembark 34 passengers from a 737 aircraft at Bauchi Airport alleging that the passengers insisted that they were ready to use the ladder when the air stairs at the airport broke down.
