The recent decision by the Aviation Working Group (AWG), co-chaired by Boeing and Airbus, to remove Nigeria from its blacklist has prompted industry stakeholders to urge the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to implement stringent measures against operators who jeopardize the country’s aviation reputation in the future.
The AWG’s decision came after the signing of the Cape Town Convention Practice Direction and the Updated Procedure for Recordation of Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA), which increased Nigeria’s global aviation rating from 70.5% to 75.5%.
Industry players, while celebrating this advancement as a significant win for Nigeria’s aviation sector, are calling for the NCAA to incorporate tough sanctions within the IDERA procedures. Experts have suggested that any operator attempting to pursue legal action against leasing companies should face severe penalties, including a minimum 10-year suspension of their Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).
Chris Aligbe, CEO of Belujane Konzult, highlighted the importance of the new regulations, stating, “Now, there are laws that will deter operators from going to court to seek injunctions for the detention of a dry leased aircraft.” He noted that Nigerian courts would no longer grant such injunctions, marking a positive change from previous practices where judicial processes often hampered leasing agreements.
However, Aligbe emphasized the need for a deterrent in the form of sanctions against operators who attempt to initiate court proceedings, arguing that “the sanction must state that any airline that tries such should at least lose its AOC for almost 10 years.” He believes this would effectively discourage future violations.
Captain Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, echoed these sentiments, urging the Federal Government to leverage this positive development by partnering with leasing companies to facilitate the acquisition of more aircraft under dry lease agreements.