Keyamo:Safety issues raised by UKCAA against Air Peace closed, says carrier enjoys FG’s support

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo said that Air Peace Airlines has closed safety issues raised by safety inspectors of the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority, stressing that the Nigerian flag carrier enjoys the full backing and support of the Nigerian Government in its operation of that route.

The Minister in a statement said, “I have been adequately and reliably briefed on the progress made thus far on this issue by the Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). I am informed that the safety issues raised have since been adequately addressed by the Management of Air Peace and promptly closed to the satisfaction of the UK authorities.”

“I wish to state categorically that the Federal Government has full confidence in the continued safety of the operations of all Nigerian flag carriers designated on different international routes, including Air Peace and will continue to support and nudge them forward in pursuit of world-class operational excellence.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government of Nigeria has put its full weight and might behind all the local airlines designated on international routes in their endeavours in prosecuting these operations and shall provide all the necessary assistance and cooperation to ensure their success. Air Peace is no exception in this regard.”

Recall that the London Gatwick Airport had filed two mandatory occurrence reports to the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) against Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, Air Peace’s operations at the airport.

In safety violation documents entitled, “United Kingdom SAFA Ramp Inspection Report with reference number: CAA-UK, -2024-0217’ and ‘NATS Management System Safety Report’ seen by Aviation Metric itemized the carrier’s safety violations at the Gatwick Aerodrome, prompting the aviation regulatory body to equally report the airline to UK’s Department of Transport (DOT).

Aside from that, the UK’s Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) also wrote to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on alleged safety violations of the carrier in London.

The NCAA in a letter to Air Peace’s Chief Executive Officer with reference number: NCAA/DOLTS/APL/Vol.11/03624 entitled, “United Kingdom SAFA Ramp Inspection Report dated May 14, 2024, and signed by the General Manager Operations, Capt. O.O. Lawani on behalf of the Director-General of NCAA read in part, “You are required to notify the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) of your corrective actions on these findings

Wole Shadare