NigerianFLIGHTDECK Travel and Business Reportage 
FIRSTNATION Airways yesterday stated that it’s air worthiness status was never downgraded as its certificate of airworthiness is but affirmed that its operations have been reduced due to the capacity of its current fleet.
The airline in a statement FRN/PR/004/08/17 signed by its corporate communication department stated that its air worthiness was intact and reports of its downgrade were misleading.
“It has become necessary to issue the following clarification to correct misconception in some section of the media relating to the status of our current operation. Our Airworthiness status was never downgraded as wrongly reported,”the statement said.
“There is a clear distinction between Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) and Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).”
The statement explained, “Our Air Operators Certificate (AOC) fell due for renewal on July 31st, 2017, this is the third successful renewal that we have achieved working in good faith with Regulatory Authorities. The renewal process entailed subjecting our operations to rigorous and demanding audit processes covering all areas of our activity. ”
“Well before the AOC renewal, we voluntarily reduced our flight frequency to well within the capacity of our current fleet. The AOC was successfully renewed for charter operation and we have contracts for sales distributions. ”
“We thus remain committed to the highest level of safety standard in line with Global industry best practises. Firstnation is currently working on a fleet expansion program and we are confident that we will expand to schedule operation during the fourth quarter of 2017.”
“We are working with the NCAA with respect to the outcome of our recent appeal. It is imperative, that this is the very first infraction that has been alleged against us. We thus remain bullish about the outlook of this airline.”
