NCAA Issues Air Operating Certificate For Pioneer Airlines’ Operations

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has issued the Air Operating Certificate (AOC), for the operation of Pioneer Airlines.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the director general of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo said the AOC has given Pioneer Airlines the authority to operate non schedule operations.

He further explained that before getting the AOC, and intending airline operator must go through five rigorous process, which is aimed at ensuring that safety is achieved.

He urged the airline to strive towards achieving maximum safety and maintaining the standard they have achieved so far and assured the management of the airline of the federal government’s support.

According to him, “I know the processes that you have been through, I know all what you have gone through, and I know you might think that the journey has not been fair, but today the journey has come to a fruitful end. You see here, we are very, very careful with this. We don’t just give out AOC. We ensure that all criteria are met.

“We make you go through the five stages and process and the process must be followed accordingly. Because you were going to operate the normal schedule, you find out that there was a deficiency of one area, and you were advised to do the non-schedule operation of the AOC that you are collecting today. It is not about collecting AOC, it’s about maintaining the AOC.”

Also speaking, the group managing director, Pioneer Airlines, Captain Ungbuku Okobuandu Henry said the airline will continue to maintain the standard showcased during the inspection period.

He also stated that the airline will be applying for a schedule flight operations immediately as it has met the requirements for schedule operations.

According to him, “Pioneer Airlines is 100 per cent in terms of safety. No compromise because if you are compromising, I think of myself, what if I am the pilot flying that aircraft and want to now cut corners? No. That’s how I think because I have been flying all my life too. I won’t hand over an aircraft to someone that will now go and do something, you know, engineers that will do something to cost lives.

“We are excited that we did something right and want to continue to maintain that standard. So I want to say thank you to his Excellency for the privilege he has given me and to my lovely wife for standing by me.”