In a bid to bring regulations up to current global standards and address issues peculiar to our environment,the NCAA is in the process of reviewing penalties for violators upwards.
Speaking at the opening session of the amendment meeting of the Nigerian civil aviation regulations 2015 where it was disclosed that the maximum fine for airlines will now be 10 million naira while the minimum will be 1 million naira, the DG NCAA Captain Musa Nuhu said the purpose of sanctions is not punitive but for regulatory purposes.
The DG said the amendment became necessary following the passing of the civil aviation act 2022. He also said airline operating certificates would be valid for five years henceforth to avoid disruption of activities of airlines.
The Chairman Civil Aviation Authority regulations committee Engineer Godwin Baking who is the head of BAGASOO delegation said the new addition to the rule making process making it 21 parts as against 20 is the part on Remotely piloted aircraft systems.
Other issues to be deliberated on include raising the retirement age of pilots to 75 years which the DG said would require risk analysis and regulatory impact assessment pending which they would stick to ICAO standard of 65 years, electronic personnel licencing and RPAS personnel licencing.
Captain Nuhu responding to a comment on delay in licensing disclosed that the process of fully automating licencing of personnel is in progress which would take care of the delay.
Senator Musa Adede who joined the three day meeting which was well attended by stakeholders in the aviation industry virtually raised concerns on enforcement which he says is key to regulation, adding that offences should be investigated before sanctions.
The DG assured stakeholders that all comments on the proposed amendments would be attended to.
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