Firstnation Airways Shuts Down Operations

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed that the First Nation Airlines has shut down its operations in the country to maintain its aircraft.

The suspension of operations by the First Nation Airlines is coming barely 24 hours after Aero Contractors Airlines suspended operations.

Aero Contractors Airlines, Nigeria’s second largest commercial carrier, announced an indefinite suspension of its scheduled flight services and placed all its staff on indefinite leave with effect from Thursday, September 1, 2016.

The Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, explained that the decision by the First Nation Airlines was taken in order to ensure that the airline carried out the required maintenance of its aircraft.

Usman, however, refuted claims that some of the domestic airlines were winding down their operations regardless of the fact that they had suspended flight services.

In a statement issued by the NCAA on Thursday and signed by its DG, it said, “The First Nation Airlines on its part is in the middle of an Engine Replacement Programme for one of its aircraft. Another aircraft is due for mandatory maintenance as allowed by the regulatory authority.

“In these circumstances, these airlines clearly cannot continue to undertake schedule operations, hence the inevitable recourse to self regulatory suspension.”

Usman insisted that the domestic carriers had not wound down their operations, but were “merely suspending their operations temporarily to enable them undertake certain operational overhaul and strengthen their overall operational outlay.”