Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) , Captain Chris Najomo has said Max Air has not performed well from its recent evaluation
Speaking during an interview session with Channels Television following the recent Max Air incident in Kano, Najomo said he had ordered risk assessment of six scheduled operators including Max Air and the airline’s record recent was not impressive.
According to him,Max Air has been performing poorly on safety as evident in previous incidents in Yola, Maiduguri and now in Kano.
While reassuring Nigerians of their safety as they fly, Najomo disclosed aviation authorities plans to extend operating hours of some local airports from 6pm to 10pm.
The Acting DG said talks are ongoing between NCAA, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) to keep local airports equipped and fit to work till about 10pm
He commended the pilot at the Kano bound aircraft for controlling the noseway and achieved safety of passenger in the face of the challenge which involved noseway collapse upon landing and burst tyre.
He said the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is investigating and NCAA will be guided by the outcome of all investigations on the matter as according to him, Max Air would be thoroughly checked before it is allowed to return to the local route.
On the fate of passengers to be affected by Max Air three months suspension,Najomo said the airline has agreed to rebook passengers on same route it plies,using Air Peace and Rano Air as alternatives or make refund to the affected passengers
Najomo said the B734 , a Boeing aircraft is the one being used for local operations while the airline international service remain since it uses B747 and B733 especially for Hajj services
The Ag DG said NCAA is on top of the game with inspectors on the ramp on a daily basis checking all aircrafts and Consumer Protection Officers attending to consumer issues. He added that these services also covers private jet operators
Speaking on why Nigeria dropped from category 1 to 2, Najomo said it had nothing to do with safetynot for safety. He said Nigeria’s ranking dropped because no local airline is flying into the US airspace and non has the United States FAA certification. . He added Nigeria’s chances of getting back to category 1 is still possible if our local airlines secure FAA certification.
He said NCAA 71 percent performance in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit will be surpassed if a new audit is conducted today as the industry regulator is putting in its best to improve on the sector
