By Abubakar Yunusa
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has stated that the federal government is actively working to streamline the process of aircraft acquisition for domestic airlines.
Chris Najomo, the acting Director-General (DG) of NCAA, made this disclosure during a training program for the consumer protection portal over the weekend.
Najomo revealed that Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has been engaging in discussions with industry giants like Boeing and Embraer to facilitate dry leasing options for Nigerian carriers.
A dry lease involves the leasing of an aircraft without pilots or crew, with the lessee assuming full operational responsibility.
Najomo expressed optimism that these efforts will soon bear fruit, enabling local airlines to expand their fleets and consequently reduce flight delays and cancellations.
“The minister has been instrumental in this regard by actively engaging with aircraft manufacturers and other stakeholders to explore avenues for securing aircraft,” Najomo stated.
“He has maintained consistent dialogue with Boeing, Embraer, and other key players to facilitate dry leasing arrangements for our domestic airlines.
“We anticipate positive outcomes in the near future, empowering our airlines to acquire and deploy additional aircraft.
This increased capacity will directly address the prevalent issues of flight delays and cancellations. Airlines such as Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines are already actively pursuing dry lease options,” he added.
Najomo also announced that the NCAA is in the process of refining its policy mandating a minimum of six aircraft for Nigerian carriers, ensuring alignment with the operational scope of each airline. This revised policy is scheduled to take effect in 2025.
Furthermore, the acting DG highlighted the authority’s commitment to digitalizing its operations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in oversight.
He emphasized that the new consumer protection portal will not only expedite complaint resolution but also serve as a valuable tool for assessing airline performance.
The capacity-building program, according to Najomo, is designed to equip airline staff and regulatory officials with the necessary skills to address common passenger complaints, particularly those related to flight delays, cancellations, and other service failures.
To complement this initiative, the NCAA is integrating advanced information technology applications into its operational processes.
“We commenced the MPIC process two years ago and have successfully conducted training sessions for our staff,” Najomo explained. “The system is currently being deployed, and upon completion, it will digitize our entire operations, encompassing AOC, certification, recertification, and licensing.”
Najomo also underscored the benefits of the training program and the new portal, emphasizing their role in enabling real-time monitoring of airline performance and passenger handling procedures throughout the travel journey.
While the portal is yet to be launched, Najomo expressed confidence in the training’s positive impact on all stakeholders.
It is worth noting that the NCAA had previously announced plans to launch a consumer protection portal in July, with the launch initially scheduled for August.
