The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has suspended the pilots involved in the recent Asaba airport incident and grounded the aircraft pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
The Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, disclosed this on the sidelines of the Airport Business Summit in Lagos.
Najomo confirmed that the aircraft had been grounded and its Permit to Fly suspended while investigations continue.
The incident occurred last month when a chartered jet landed on a road under construction near Asaba Airport in Delta State, prompting widespread concern within the aviation industry and calls for a thorough investigation.
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau initially launched a safety investigation before transferring the regulatory aspect of the case to the NCAA.
Najomo also revealed that the Department of State Services had joined the investigation.
“The investigation is still ongoing. The NSIB has handed the investigation to us, the NCAA, and we are conducting our own inquiry. As we speak, the aircraft has been grounded, the Permit to Fly has been suspended, and the pilots have also been suspended pending the outcome of our investigation,” he said.
“As a pilot with 45 years of experience, I will not see a road and land on it.
“We are also looking at other possible motives. The DSS has become involved and is carrying out its own investigation too. Until the report is released, that remains the position.”
Speaking at the Airport Business Summit, Najomo described the gathering as a key platform for stakeholders to address pressing issues in the aviation sector.
He assured operators that the NCAA would examine complaints relating to monopoly and anti-competitive practices, stressing the regulator’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field.
“We will carefully look into complaints relating to monopoly and anti-competitive practices. Our responsibility is to ensure fair competition, keep airlines commercially viable, protect passengers’ interests and ensure that charges within the industry remain reasonable,” he said.