Federal Gov’t Signs Aviation Resolution To Ease Lease Of Aircraft

The federal ministry of aviation and aerospace development has signed the De-Registration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) into law which makes it easier for the lease  and operations of aircraft in Nigeria.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo said the activation of the resolution would bring investors into Nigeria as many investors looking to lease aircraft for business in Nigeria, had encountered problems due to the restrictions.

He further explained that this implies that any aircraft under lease in Nigeria can be de-registered and moved out of the country without bureaucracy.

The minister also explained that the IDERA resolution signed would also encourage investors to bring in aircraft into the country without hindrances.

The minister said he would consult with government agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure that they don’t delay the clearance of aircraft coming into the country for lease.

Also speaking at the event, the acting director-general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),  Capt.  Chris Najomo, who signed for the Nigerian government, said “the goal of enabling our airlines to have access to dry-lease aircraft to boost operational capacity will be eased as a result of today’s achievement.

He said the resolution was reached at “the Cape Town Convention , where the associated Aircraft Protocol came into force in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2015 through The International Interests in Aircraft Equipment (Cape Town Convention) Regulations 2015.

“In relation to registration and operation of aircraft in Nigeria, the main impact of the convention is the ability of the registered owner to request an irrevocable De-Registration and Export Request Authorisation (‘‘IDERA”) over an eligible aircraft. Once an IDERA is recorded, the party that has been declared by the registered owner as the ‘authorised party’ will be the only party with the right to de-register and export the aircraft.

“The smooth execution of this authorisation has been impeded by judicial pronouncements and unwilling lessees. The current minister has taken the bull by the horn in ameliorating the consequences of this occurrence, and that is why we are gathered here today. Nigeria is a Contracting State to the Convention On International Interests In Mobile Equipment (the Convention) and the Protocol Thereto On Matters Specific To Aircraft Equipment (the Protocol), and had made a declaration pursuant to Article XXX(1) of the Protocol providing for the recordation and enforcement of IDERAs.

The Civil Aviation Act and the Nig. CARs made there require NCAA to establish and maintain a Legal Interests in Aircraft Registry showing for each aircraft registered in Nigeria, proprietary rights, interests, liens and other dealings thereon. “