The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended all wet-leased aircraft operated by United Nigeria Airlines. This decision comes after conflicting reports surfaced regarding the landing of an Abuja-bound flight in Asaba on November 27th.
The NCAA acted following contradicting statements from the airline and the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency regarding the incident.
In a letter to the airline, the NCAA communicated its decision to suspend all wet-leased aircraft in response the incident.
United Nigeria Airlines, in a statement by Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, attributed the diversion to poor destination weather. However, discrepancies arose when Air Traffic Controllers countered this claim, asserting favorable weather conditions in Abuja at the time of the diversion.
The CAA, after a post-incident meeting, deemed the airline’s explanation untenable, prompting the suspension pending further investigation.
Director General of Civil Aviation, Musa Nuhu, confirmed the suspension, emphasizing disparities between preliminary reports and the airline’s statement. He expressed concern about the presence of foreign pilots in the cockpit and their understanding of Nigerian airspace, questioning the necessity of wet leasing.
As investigations unfold, UNAs’ wet-leased aircraft will remain suspended. This reflects the CAA’s commitment to ensuring clarity and accountability in aviation incidents.
Nuhu asked,” The wet-leased aircraft, were they only foreign pilots in the cockpit and do they understand our airspace better than Nigerian pilots?”
” It’s an issue of concern, however, we have summoned them for the opportunity to tell us what really happened. However, their wet leased aircraft stand suspended for now.”
