NCAA extends validity of Airline Operators Certificate to five years

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has concluded plans to extend the validity of air operator’s certificate (AOC) from two years to five years for scheduled airlines and three years for non-scheduled Operators. Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu who disclosed this yesterday said the new policy would take effect in the […]

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has concluded plans to extend the validity of air operator’s certificate (AOC) from two years to five years for scheduled airlines and three years for non-scheduled Operators.

Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu who disclosed this yesterday said the new policy would take effect in the first quarter of 2023.

He spoke in a virtual chat with newsmen to provide updates on the 2022 Civil Aviation Act which repealed the 2006 CAA.

The new CAA recently assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari made several changes to the Civil Aviation.

The Act which also incorporates developments in international civil aviation also strengthens the power of the CAA, stipulating that the DG can only be removed by the President subject to the Senate’s confirmation.

In line with the clamour by the airline operators for the extension of validity of AOC which is the certificate the airlines hold to carry out scheduled and non-scheduled flight operations, the DG said, “We are in the process of reviewing the validity of AOC from two years to five years for scheduled operators and three years for non-scheduled Operators.”

The DG also explained that the AOC fees of N200,000 currently charged would no longer be the same as from next year, saying Nigeria is the only country charging ridiculously low fee for AOC.

He noted that neighbouring Ghana charges $250,000, saying what Nigeria charges compared to the efforts the agency puts into the five stages of the AOC is too meagre.

He also explained that the AOC charge would no longer be a flat rate for all airlines, saying the charge would depend on the kind of operation offered by an airline.

“Even among scheduled operators depending on the complexity of your operations. So the fee for AOC will depend on the complexity of the operations and I think the five years gives a breather for the airlines and also on the part of the NCAA, it gives us a breather from paperwork from every two years to five years and also free us to do other oversight functions such as surveillance.” He added.

Capt. Nuhu who also spoke on the trapped fund belonging to foreign airlines assured that the issue is being addressed by the federal government. 

He said: “The issue with Blocked Fund is strictly the Central Bank of Nigeria matter and I can authoritatively tell you that the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika is working seriously with the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor and all parties involved to get it sorted out.”