NCAA Threatens to Ground Aircraft over Breach of Insurance Cover

By Umar Suleiman

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened to ground any aircraft operated by any local airlines without valid insurance cover.

This is contained in a directive contained in an All-operator Letter (AOL), referenced NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/369 dated 11th August, 2023 addressed to all airlines and allied aviation services providers and personally signed by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Captain Musa Nuhu.

The DG said non-adherence to Part 18.14.1.1 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2022 will attract immediate sanctions.

According to him, the sanctions will include the grounding of the specific aircraft and taking enforcement action against any airlines or service providers that defaulted.

The statement read, “the NCAA has demanded compliance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2022 on insurance cover to be maintained by all allied aviation services providers.

“The compliance is sequel to the coming into force of Nig. CARs 2022 on 10th July, 2023 which makes it mandatory that all airlines comply with Part 18.14.1.1 of the Regulations.”

“Specifically, Part 18.14.1.1 of the Regulations provides amongst others that all airlines and other allied aviation service providers must NOT operate without: Adequate and valid insurance cover; Submitting to the Authority copies of valid insurance certificate, evidence of payment of premium and other policy documents of insurance cover of not less than 3 months as specified in IS: 18.14.1.1.”

“Having insurance document which must be adequate and renewed before the expiration of the current policy and be submitted to the NCAA as soon as it is renewed.”

“The Authority wants to state that non-adherence to this Regulation will attract immediate sanctions which will include the grounding of the specific aircraft and taking enforcement action against any airlines or service providers that defaulted. Please, be guided accordingly.”