Experts Warn Against State Governments Operating Airlines Without Safety Certificates

Aviation experts, including Chinedu Ez and Captain Ado Sanusi, have raised concerns about Nigerian state governments establishing airlines without obtaining Air Operator Certificates (AOC), potentially compromising safety standards. The experts recommend that state-owned airlines should acquire aircraft through existing airlines to ensure proper fleet management and safety compliance.

Martin Nwafor, a former senior official of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), highlighted the importance of AOC ownership for safety and regulatory compliance. Godwin Balang from NCAA explained the differences between economic licenses and AOCs, emphasizing the critical role of AOC holders in ensuring aircraft safety and operational standards.

The article also mentions specific state-owned airlines operating without AOCs, such as Ibom Air, Enugu Air, and others, raising concerns about regulatory oversight and passenger safety.