NCAA directs Nigerian Domestic airlines to install latest safety device within six months

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Lagos yesterday finally issued the airlines operating in the country six months to install Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) in their aircraft  or face sanctions.  

This directive was announced by the Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren after presenting his paper at the ongoing Airbus Industry Workshop Training for indigenous airline operators.

He said that so far, all the country’s airline operators had indicated their interested in fixing the equipment onto their airplanes and disclosed that it cost NCAA about $30,000 (N4.8 Million) to acquire and install the equipment in its headquarters in Lagos.

Demuren said it would cost the airline more, but they could pay in installments to the manufacturer of the equipment after the initial payment of about $60, 000 (N9.5 Million) on each aircraft and then the airlines can make yearly payment till they finish paying. It is a fraction of the money they will use to buy an airplane.Well if you think this is expensive, go and try accident. lol!

  “We are giving them six months to install the gadgets in their airplanes. We need to give them some time. It is not a thing you can do in one day. After that, no aeroplane would operate in the public category carrying passengers for hire and reward will be allowed again in the country. I think it is good to promote safety in the industry,”

Any snag would be detected automatically. Every one of them wants it. It is the latest in the world. There have been complaints that pilots don’t record snags in their logbooks, but this automatically records everything. You can’t hide or change it. Everyone would have it; the airline and even the NCAA. We will know the problem and we would be able to fix it.

On the workshop, Demuren commended the aircraft manufacturer for conducting the training for Nigerian airline operators, saying that this would further boost safety in the Nigerian aviation industry.

Also speaking on the issue, Airbus International Safety Programme Director, Mr. Marc Ballion said that the AFIRS would automatically be fixed on all its aircraft from 2015.

He said with this installation, speculations arising from probable causes of aircraft accident would be over, stressing that before the airline could come out with the latest technology; it cost two years of intensive research.

He said that before the latest discovery, the company was improving in its safety record, maintaining that it would further boost safety in the sector.

“Again, we have to be predictive and pro-active in our approach to safety of airplanes and passengers in the sector. We don’t have to wait for an accident to occur before we take step. This device reveals all the components of aircraft and monitors the movement of aircraft,” Hmmmm... 

Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, issued the summon at a meeting with officials  of the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Onyejeocha said the invitation became necessary because of the controversy surrounding the alleged discrimination against the airlines. The  airlines summoned include, Turkish Airline, Ethiopia Airline, Emirates Airline and Asky  Airline.