Saturday , 10 June 2023

Aero Contractors: Did the NCAA carry out any economic audit?

IT was very interesting last Friday to see the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), stand with the Minister of State, Senator Hadi Sirika to beg workers of embattled Aero Contractors to postpone their protest till Monday to see what can be done to ameliorate the situation.

However,   as watchers we cannot help but ask the questions no one, the unions, the workers even the Minister have failed to ask which is,” What role did the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) play in all this drama? If they did what they were supposed to do as regulators, would it sink to this?”

On Thursday, the day Aero Contractors halted scheduled operations the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) quickly came out to dismiss claims that some airlines are winding down their operations stating on the contrary, that these airlines are merely suspending their operations temporarily to enable them undertake certain operational overhaul and strengthen their overall operational outlay.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika addressing demonstrating Aero Contractors workers with DG NCAA, Captain Mukhar watching by the sidelines
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika addressing demonstrating Aero Contractors workers

The NCAA, referring to Aero Contractors Ltd., told the world that at present the airline has only one serviceable aircraft and this in contradiction to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARS) which stipulates that no airline operator shall carry out schedule commercial operation with only one aircraft.

Director General of the NCAA, Captain Usman Mukhar who signed the statement said the regulatory body on no account compromise safety and security of airline operations in the airspace further stating that “Every facet of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARS) and Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) must be adhered to with due diligence.In addition, everything has been put in place to continue to ensure compliance.”

However, one does wonder if the NCAA even read Aero Contractor’s statement on why they stopped operations before they issued their laughable statement the next day.

Aero’s CEO stated categorically,“The impact of the external environment has been very harsh on our operational performance, hence management decision to suspend scheduled services operations indefinitely effective September 1, 2016 pending when the external opportunities and a robust sustainable and viable plan is in place for Aero Contractors to recommence its scheduled services.  The implication of the suspension of scheduled services operations extends to all staffs directly and indirectly involved in providing services as they are effectively to proceed on indefinite leave of absence during the period of non-services.”

Aero Contractors Boeing 737-300 Registration YU-ANJ
Aero Contractors Boeing 737-300 Registration YU-ANJ

This simply bothers on the airlines economy and in truth, one does not get to this abysmal point overnight, it must have been a long time coming so we find the NCAA’s response to this on September 2, 2016 thought-provoking and were wondering if the NCAA under this leadership aims at dancing to the gallery.

In truth, one should ask the NCAA what they were doing, if they could not look into the books they easily throw at everyone else but themselves, and know that there was a situation in Aero that needed economic regulation.

It is easy to flout rules when you make them, and so we would like to throw the NCAA’s book right back at them by quoting from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2012 Vol. II Part 18 which deals extensively with Air Transport Economic Regulations but before we do, let us first of all say that the best defense the NCAA would have, is to say they don’t want to regulate airlines to death but now it seems they are ‘unregulating’ them to the same end.

For avoidance of doubt, NCAA Regulations on airlines financial health Part 18.10.1. applies to the continuous monitoring of the operations of Nigerian licensed airlines for the purpose of ensuring their financial capability for safe and sustainable operations.

Now in truth for an airline to be economically viable there are certain things that matter major which is its ability to handle its direct operating cost (DOC) meaning that the airline should be able to meet expenditure that is directly related to flight operations such as flight crew allowance, aircraft fuel and oil, lease rental or depreciation, aircraft maintenance, insurance premium, ground handling, navigational charges, landing and parking and so on.

Last we know, Aero contractors have been owing salaries for two months, or is the NCAA not aware? Aero has almost three aircraft on maintenance and funds are the reason why it cannot get its aircraft or get maintenance for them, or is the NCAA also unaware of that scenario? We also learnt that Aero is heavily indebted to the airport it operates from or is the NCAA also unaware of this? Also like every other domestic operator in Nigeria, Aero is indebted to Jet A1 marketers, or is the NCAA also unaware? And if the NCAA was unaware does that not mean a huge vote of no confidence on the regulator who does not know what happens in its industry or take steps to solve the problems assuming it does know. Any way the pendulum swings the NCAA is culpable in this matter.

Another carrier, First Nation, has had its aircraft grounded for almost two weeks, for engine change according to the CAA’s statement, but do riddle us this, does an aircraft engine change happen at the tarmac? As the airlines two aircraft have been parked there.

Part 18.10.2 also states that all Nigerian licensed airlines shall ensure proper, transparent and prudent financial management in the conduct of their operations.

Part 18.10.3. states that all  Nigerian licensed airlines shall submit to the authority on a monthly basis, all financial data and records on their operations in the form and manner as may be prescribed by the Authority. The fact the CAA continues to play the ostrich to save its face is downright amusing because it is its laws we are quoting, Dr. Harold Demuren former NCAA DG once said airline financial health is something that is audited monthly and now given the fact that Aero has been in this current financial quagmire since 2015 one would ask the NCAA and its DG in particular if they have done the needful as it pertains Nigerian airlines.

Then there is 18.10.4. which tells us that the NCAA shall evaluate the financial returns and make a copy of the report of the financial health assessment to the Management of the airline which may make representation to the NCAA.

We may not be privy to whether the NCAA actually did this but one thing for certain is that if they did, they will not apologetically stand in the midst of genuine demonstrating Aero Contractors workers to take a political victory for a job that they neglected from the start.

In any case, our prayers are with the entire staff of embattled Aero Contractors, we hope they get all their dues and pray they do not end up on our ‘Blast from the Past’ segment, that would be a disservice to the oldest airline in Nigeria which has not had any major incidents or any accident for that matter.

 This Editorial is the Point of View of Nigerianflightdeck.com

About NigerianFlightDeck

Nigerianflightdeck is an online news and magazine platform reporting business stories with a bias for aviation and travel. It is borne out of the intention to inform, educate as well as alter perceptions with balanced reportage.

slot pulsa

slot pulsa tanpa potongan

slot deposit via pulsa

slot deposit pulsa tanpa potongan

slot deposit 10000 tanpa potongan

slot pulsa tanpa potongan

slot deposit pulsa tanpa potongan

slot pulsa

slot deposit pulsa

slot pulsa tanpa potongan

slot deposit pulsa

slot deposit pulsa

deposit pulsa tanpa potongan

https://stevenfoster.com/slot-deposit-pulsa/

wolf gold

wild west gold

the dog house

sword of ares

sweet bonanza

sugar rush

starlight princess

starlight christmas

rabbit garden

pyramid bonanza

power of thor

joker jewels

hand of midas

great rhino

gates of olympus

gates of gatotkaca

fuirt party

fire88

bonanza gold

deposit pulsa tanpa potongan

sbobet

sbobet

slot deposit pulsa

https://np3.com.br/css/mahjong-ways/

https://www.designerds.be/slot-bonus/

https://greenwichvillagevabeach.com/slot-bonus/

https://junex.com/slot-bonus-100/

https://thefranklinjohnstongroup.com/slot-deposit-pulsa/

https://socialbalance.be/slot-deposit-dana/

https://elegamingle.com/wp-content/slot-nexus-engine/

slot pulsa tanpa potongan

slot pulsa tanpa potongan

slot bonus 100 to 3x

slot bonus 100 to 3x

nexus slot

nexus slot

slot gopay

rtp slot

slot deposit via dana 10 ribu

https://pointeatpickettfarm.com/wp-includes/slot-deposit-pulsa/

https://pri-israel.com/wp-includes/slot-deposit-dana/

https://aadun.um.edu.my/

https://dmd.dourados.ms.gov.br/app/rtp-slot-gacor/

https://human.rru.ac.th/wp-content/uploads/2023/slot-depo25-bonus25/

https://progresshotel.be/wp-content/slot777-slot-bonus/

https://podcast.peugeot.fr/

https://ci-csd.everymatrix.com/

https://beta.media.nhra.com/

https://pgdownloads.enterprisedb.com/

https://www.mortgageebill.huntington.com/

slot bonus new member

slot deposit pulsa tanpa potongan

rtp

sbobet

slot dana 10 ribu

slot dana 10 ribu

slot dana 10 ribu

slot deposit pulsa

slot deposit pulsa

slot deposit pulsa

slot deposit pulsa

slot pulsa

slot pulsa

slot pulsa

slot deposit pulsa tanpa potongan

slot deposit dana

slot deposit dana

judi bola

slot deposit pulsa

depo 25 bonus 25

slot via dana

slot mahjong

depo 25 bonus 25

slot linkaja

slot gopay

slot ovo

https://ilfracombegolfclub.com/wp-includes/slot-bonus-new-member/

https://auditsocial.world/wp-includes/slot-bonus-new-member/

https://hkmedicalconsultants.com/js/slot-bonus-100/

https://www.sunraysiascouts.org.au/wp-includes/slot-bonus-100/

https://mayabeachhotel.com/wp-includes/slot-bonus/

https://oakhillbulkfoods.com/wp-includes/slot-bonus-100/

https://sensirestaurant.it/wp-includes/rtp-slot/

https://ujalapk.net/wp-includes/rtp-live/

Judi Slot

Judi Slot

Judi Slot

Judi Slot

Judi Slot

Judi Slot

Judi Slot

Judi Slot

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

daftar sbobet

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

slot bonus newmember

https://hightidekinsale.com/wp-includes/sbobet/

https://advantagehomecare.com/wp-includes/sbobet/

https://micg-adventist.org/wp-includes/slot-gacor/

http://nvzprd-agentmanifest.ivanticloud.com/

daftar sbobet

https://brentfordgymnasticsclub.com/wp-includes/sbobet/

https://jenniferallenlaw.com/wp-includes/sbobet/

https://phuonghoangschool.com/wp-includes/

slot bonus new member 100 di awal

sbobet

https://eurofeld.com/wp-includes/slot-gacor/

https://soroptimistpalmdesert.org/wp-includes/slot-gacor/

https://netfurniture.co.uk/wp-includes/slot-gacor/

sbobet88

sbobet

game slot gacor

slot deposit gopay

https://crazy.ro/wp-includes/slot-bonus/

RTP Live

slot gacor gampang menang

rtp live

judi bola

depo 100 bonus 100

Slot Online

Slot Joker Gaming

slot deposit

https://topnotchlocs.com/slot-gacor/

https://marcellolinhares.com/rtp-slot/

https://exoticmysticism.com/wp-includes/casino-online/

https://www.chanchap.com/wp-includes/baccarat-online/

pragmatic play

judi baccarat online

live casino

slot88

slot

baccarat uang asli

Slot Server Thailand

https://ngoisaoamnhac.vn/slot-nexus/

https://comkresloff.ru/wp-content/slot/

http://slotmaxwin.org/

https://www.victhorvieira.com/forum/discussoes-gerais/daftar-situs-slot-bonus-new-member-100-selalu-gacor-gampang-menang-bonus-new-member-100-ke-rendah-kecil-3x-5x-6x-7x-8x-10x-di-awal

https://www.delakkerij.be/slot-nexus/

https://lobsterbaylombok.com/slot-deposit-pulsa/

https://smaalbina.com/wp-includes/slot-bonus/

https://solargostaran.com/slot-deposit-pulsa/

https://hort.hdut.edu.tw/wp-includes/slot-nexus/

https://boogoomusicfest.com

https://thesummerhouseapts.com/wp-content/slot-nexus-engine/

https://spaziosicurezzaweb.com/slot-deposit-pulsa/

https://namaaestetic.com/wp-content/slot-nexus-engine/

https://asbcred.com.br/wp-content/slot-pulsa/

slot pulsa

slot deposit pulsa

https://usasgvote.usa.edu.ph/js/slot-bonus/

slot bonus

slot bonus new member

slot bonus 200

slot bonus 200 di depan

https://www.dqsy.vn/slot-bonus/

https:https://captiva.be/slot-bonus/

http://palais-rouge.com/wp-includes/slot-nexus/

slot deposit dana

slot dana

slot deposit dana

daftar slot via dana

https://vrpgessoeconstrucoes.com.br/wp-includes/slot-deposit-dana/

slot pakai dana

deposit dana

deposit dana

deposit dana

deposit via pulsa

deposit via pulsa

nexus engine slot

sbobet login

https://saberrentalcar.com/wp-includes/slot-deposit-dana/

https://cosmoroyale.com/wp-includes/slot-deposit-pulsa/

slot dana

slot-nexus

nexus slot

slot nexus

slot dana

slot nexus

slot server luar negeri

rtp slot

slot dana

slot nexus

slot dana

slot bonus 100 to 3x

slot server thailand

slot server kamboja

slot server luar negeri

slot server kamboja

slot server thailand

slot server kamboja

slot server thailand

slot server thailand

slot server thailand

slot server kamboja

slot server thailand

slot server kamboja

slot server thailand

slot server luar negeri

slot server kamboja

slot server vietnam

slot server thailand

slot server kamboja

slot server luar negeri

slot deposit pulsa

slot bonus 100 to 3x

slot online

slot deposit dana

daftar sbobet

slot deposit via dana 10000

slot deposit via dana 10000

slot deposit pulsa

https://thesmartoilet.com/wp-includes/slot-deposit-pulsa/

https://choviettrantran.com/wp-includes/slot-deposit-pulsa/

https://kreativszepsegszalon.hu/wp-includes/slot-deposit-pulsa/

https://www.muaythaionline.org/wp-includes/slot-deposit-pulsa/

slot server kamboja

slot server vietnam

slot server myanmar

slot server thailand/

slot server myanmar/

server luar slot

slot server thailand

slot server luar negeri

slot server thailand

slot thailand

slot server vietnam