..Bans Pilots from Working Multiple Airlines
In a bid to mitigate potential safety threats, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a directive prohibiting licensed flight crew members from conducting cross-crew operations for multiple airlines.
The move aims to address findings that pilots have been operating flights for multiple airlines without proper authorization, compromising operational safety standards.
The directive addressed to aircraft operators, effective from November 11, 2024, is a response to the NCAA’s surveillance, which revealed that pilots have been sharing simulator proficiency checks and endorsements to justify work across multiple carriers.
However, the NCAA asserts that conducting cross-crew operations increases safety risks due to differing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training requirements.
Captain Chris Najomo, Acting Director General of Civil Aviation, emphasized that the NCAA will enforce strict measures against any airline or licensed pilot violating the directive’s terms.
He says, sanctions under Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations will apply, as the NCAA seeks to preserve the industry’s regulatory integrity.
The directive restricts simulator renewals exclusively to each pilot’s designated operator, highlighting the NCAA’s firm enforcement stance.
Captain Najomo underscored the authority’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The NCAA according to him, is leaving no ambiguity, expecting pilots to uphold airline-specific safety standards without exception.
Any unauthorized pilot, NCAA boss added sharing or cross-crew operations will be treated as regulatory breaches, subject to judicial procedures and severe penalties.
This move aims to ensure that Nigerian aviation retains the rigor and uniformity critical for safe air travel.
