Resign as AON chairman, Tukur tells Azman Air MD

• Says comment against NCAA reckless, unprofessional

More stakeholders have taken a swipe at the management of Azman Air for questioning the decision of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to suspending the airline over safety concern, describing the invective of the airline and by extension that of the Chairman of the airline as nothing but ‘pure blackmail’ and ploy to arm twist the aviation regulatory from its oversight functions.

The carrier had immediately after NCAA grounded its operation linked the suspension of the carrier to vendetta from the Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, alleging that the refusal of the airline to part with N15 million for a deal between it and Nuhu long before he assumed office as helmsman of the agency led to the decision to ground the airline.

The aviation regulatory agency, while wielding the hammer against Azman Air said it took the measure following series of incidents involving Azman Air Boeing 737 aircraft, just as the agency disclosed that it acted pursuant to Section 35 (2) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3 (A) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015,

Reacting to the action of the airline which castigated the NCAA for its tough stance on safety, the Chairman of Fly Hudson Aviation and former Deputy General Secretary of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria, (AON) Alhaji Mohammed Tukur condemned the statement issued by the AZMAN Airlines’ management.

Tukur who described the press statement by the airline as ‘reckless and unprofessional’ said by such action, the Managing Director, Alhaji Faisal Abdulmunaf was no longer fit to serve as the accountable manager of the Airline.

He also demanded that the Chairman of Azman, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Sarina should honourably resign his position as the chairman of the domestic airlines’ body, Airline Operators of Nigeria, (AON) because he has exhibited lack of intergtity and honour to lead the body.

Tukur opined that for AZMAN to have towed the line of blackmail to respond to the action of the NCAA indicated its lack of understanding of the aviation safety procedures in aviation industry adding.

“It is not easy to witch-hunt in this industry because the records and books on NCAA inspections are opened and cannot be manipulated “.

While urging the NCAA boss, Captain Nuhu not to be deterred by the unfortunate blackmail, Alhaji Mohammed suggested a withdrawal of the airline’s airworthiness certificate, (AOC) if in at the end of the audit AZMAN is found culpable so that it will serve as a deterrent for such action by any airline in future.

Wole Shadare