The Director General, Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, has announced sweeping sanctions against the flight crew involved in the recent Asaba airport incident, confirming that the pilot-in-command has been removed and banned from operating in Nigerian airspace.
While the First Officer has also been suspended pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the Airport Business Summit in Lagos, Captain Najomo disclosed that the aircraft involved has been grounded and its Permit to Fly (PNCF) suspended.
He explained that although the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) handled the initial safety investigation, the regulatory aspect of the case has now been handed over to the NCAA, which is conducting its own independent probe.
He also revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has joined the investigation.
The NCAA Director General, a pilot with more than 45 years of flying experience, described the incident as highly unusual, saying he could not comprehend how an aircraft could mistake a road for a runway.
He stressed that the authority would leave no stone unturned in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the occurrence before taking final regulatory action.
On the Airport Business Summit, Captain Najomo praised the gathering as a valuable platform for industry stakeholders to address pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector.
He assured operators that the NCAA would carefully examine concerns over monopoly and anti-competitive practices, reiterating the regulator’s commitment to promoting fair competition, ensuring airlines remain commercially viable, protecting passengers’ interests, and preventing excessive charges across the industry.