UK aviation regulator writes NCAA, says Air Peace violating safety regulations

By Abubakar Yunusa

The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA) has raised concerns over Air Peace’s compliance with some safety regulations in the UK.
Michael Achimugu, director, public affairs and consumer protection, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the safety concerns were raised during a ramp inspection by UKCAA.
In a report titled ‘Ramp Inspection,’ and dated April 7, the UK aviation authority said findings showed Air Peace was using electronic flight bag (EFB) functions without operational approval.
UKCAA said the EFB affects the safe operation of Air Peace’s aircraft, adding that the flight captain admitted that the EFB was being used for navigational purposes.
The UK aviation authority said there was “no mounting device for the use of EFB, no charging points or battery for backup”.
Achimugu said UKCAA wrote to NCAA but the complaints would not result in a ban on Air Peace.
He said NCAA is conducting an investigation into the complaints.
“There was a ramp inspection where issues were raised at Level 2 (definitely not Level 1),” the director said.
“The NCAA has been communicated and we have written to the airline for their comments. Investigations are ongoing.
“Well, it’s a category less serious than Level 1, it does not call for a ban of the airline as being suggested by some of your colleagues.”
On March 30, Air Peace, Nigeria’s flag carrier, commenced its Lagos-London flight services.
The inaugural flight was widely celebrated by many Nigerians on social media who believed the cost of flight tickets to London would be reduced due to the presence of a Nigerian carrier on the route.
On April 10, Allen Onyema, chief executive officer (CEO) of Air Peace, said some airlines were conspiring to take his company out of business by underpricing the flight tickets for the Lagos-London route.