Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
NIGERIAN Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has released one of the two aircraft belonging to West Link Airlines currently grounded under Specs Part G of the Air Operator’s Certificate due to non-compliance and or violations of the provision of NCARS Part 9.2.3.4(b) having erroneously added it to the grounded list.
The aircraft, a Challenger CL604-N604WL operated by West Link Airlines was released to service as it was under the Part G category as it is said to be owned solely by the airline and not leased. Read also: NCAA suspends Skypower Express, others for non-compliance, violations
The other aircraft, the CL601-N253LA however falls under the category and will still have to undergo a full audit and compliance with all the relevant Nig. CARS.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Aeronautical Telecommunication Service dated today 7th July, 2020 to all stations with text AA0016/07071244 releasing the aircraft to operate read:
“The DG-NCAA has that N604WL CL604 (West Link Airlines) that was earlier grounded via permit no AA004/03072005 be released with immediate effect to resume normal operations. Please act accordingly. Regards.”
When contacted, Chairman of West Link Airlines, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia confirmed the grounding of the airline’s aircraft CL601-N253LA to Nigerianflightdeck.com stating that only one of West Link Airlines aircraft fell under the category of Part G and is being grounded.
According to him, the other aircraft which is owned by West Link Airlines and not leased is on Part D and not Part G but was erroneously grounded. He confirmed the release.
On the aircraft currently grounded, The airline Chairman said West Link was working towards meeting the new guidelines of the NCAA stating that it is sure to comply, “We are doing all we can and working round the clock to ensure we meet it as soon as possible,” the Chairman said.
The NCAA had suspended operations of some airlines aircraft based on NCARS Part 9.2.3.4(b) referring to Wet Leasing aircraft which states: (b) No holder of an AOC issued under this Part 9 may allow another entity or air operator to conduct wet-lease operations on its behalf (a wet lease in) unless—(1) That air operator holds an AOC or its equivalent from a Contracting State that authorizes those operations;(2) The AOC holder advises the Authority of such operations and provides a copy of the AOC under which the operation was conducted;(3) Such operation does not exceed a period of 12 months and(4) The Authority approves the operations.
