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…Says Arik, Aero, FirstNation Are IOSA Compliant
….As Body’s New Regional Director Visits NCAA
International Air Transport Association (IATA) has vehemently condemned what it described as incursion into complaints by passengers against Turkish Airlines by the Consumer Protection Council’s (CPC).
IATA further explained that CPC dabbled into aviation regulatory responsibilities of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), adding that by international Conventions airlines answerable to the regulatory body; NCAA.
The newly appointed IATA,Regional Director for Africa, Tanja Grobotek condemned CPC’s action when she and her team paid familiarisation visit to the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Capt. Muhtar Usman at the Aviation House recently.
She stated that IATA would take up the matter with the Minister of State for Aviation, Alhaji Hadi Sirika for proper delineation of agency roles to avoid a breach of aviation protocols in Nigeria.
According to her, “A situation whereby our member airlines that are by International Conventions answerable to NCAA are now being questioned by another body in Nigeria is confusing and need to be addressed.” she was quoted as saying.
CPC had threatened to sanction if it fails to abide by its directives
CPC’s sanction came on the heels of the refusal of Turkish Airlines to address the complaints about its shoddy treatment of passengers on Turkish Airlines flight TK 623 of Sunday, December 20,2015 and other subsequent flights, which arrived Abuja from Istanbul during the Yuletide, without the baggage of passengers.
The said passengers, some of who travelled with minors, including those whose destinations were outside Abuja, were allegedly subjected to untold hardships, as they were forced to check the airport in Abuja for their baggage, without any form of support by the airline
In another development IATA said that three Nigerian airlines have successfully obtained International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit(IOSA) Certification.
An online statement by the General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, quoted Grobotek as the listing the airlines to include: Arik Air, Aero Contractors and FirstNation.
She also gave the names of airlines on the verge of securing IOSA certification to include: Allied Air and Cargo services, Overland Airways and Dana Air while Air Peace has done its last workshop but is about to be audited.
The IATA Operational Safety Assessment (IOSA) certificate is issued to airline after a successful assessment and demonstration of compliance to Safety Regulations as specified by the body.
While commending NCAA for a long-standing collaboration with IATA on operational safety, she expressed optimism in seeing more airlines obtain IOSA certification which will be a boost to the industry.
Speaking further, she hinted that there are roundtable conferences on the impacts of environment on Aviation under the leadership of international Civil Aviation (ICAO) slated for 10th March 10, 2016 that Nairobi and Nigeria have been tipped in Africa to host.
Other issues discussed include proposed meeting with upcoming operators in order to raise their safety level and also on the need for transition from Aeronautical Information System [AIS] to Aeronautical Information Management (AIM).
IATA Area Manager South West Africa,Samson Fatokun, who accompanied the visiting Regional Director also stated that there were training programmes lined up for NCAA by IATA this year which he hopes will be approved by the authority.
The DG, Capt. Muhtar Usman, in his response, commended IATA team for their visit.
He expressed willingness to partner with IATA on issues of Safety, Security and Training
The DG said that the regulatory authority has already transited from aeronautical information services (AIS) to aeronautical information management (AIM)and that staff of the authority had undergone training on implementation.
According to the DG, ‘’Safety is not by accident but a product of sufficient planning’’. Hence, NCAA is ever committed to work with IATA on training which is key to safety and security. These trainings will be domesticated where necessary for cost effectiveness.”
The IATA team included its Aviation Solutions Manager (South West Africa) Ewemade Atake.
On the DG’s side were some top management staff of the authority which included the Director of Air Transport Regulations, Mr Ogidi Justus – Wariya, Director of Consumer Protection, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi, Director of Finance and Accounts, Alhaji Nuhu-Ozigi , Technical Assistant to the DG, Engr. Ben Tukur, GM Public Relations ,Mr Sam Adurogboye and others.