The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, on Tuesday said it would deliver the Air Transport Licence and the Aircraft Operators Certificate to the new national carrier, Nigeria Air, in the next 90 days.

The Director-General, NCAA, Capt. Muktar Usman, who announced this at a news conference in Lagos, said the proposed December take off of the carrier was still feasible.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports the Airline Transport Licence is the highest level of aircraft pilot certificate.

Those certified as Airline Transport Pilots (unconditional) are authorised to act as pilot in command on scheduled air carrier’s aircraft.

On the other hand, the Air Operator’s Certificate is the approval granted by a National Aviation Authority to an aircraft operator to allow it to use aircraft for commercial purposes.

Usman said, “We still have more than 90 days to the end of the year, so, it is still feasible, all things being equal. I am just talking from the regulatory point of view.”

He assured the flying public and Nigerians that the government was still working round the clock for a successful take off of the airline.

According to him, the government will continue to work effectively on the project until it is delivered to Nigerians at the stipulated time.

He noted that talks surrounding the proposed national carrier had reduced significantly because most Nigerians were beginning to understand and buy into it.

Usman explained that the role of Transaction Advisers to the project was a gradual process, adding that the process so far had been transparent.

“The government intention about the take-off of Nigeria Air is to get the best for the flying public because Nigerians have been yearning for a strong and viable carrier.

We want a carrier that will meet the demands and potential of the domestic market, the regional market and the international market,” he said. (NAN)

– Sept. 4, 2018 @ 19:25 GMT |