NCAA hammer to fall on illegal airport operators
Operators of airports without valid permits in Nigeria will face the wrath of the country regulatory agency beginning from January 1st, 2026, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) warned on Monday.
The agency disclosed that its data revealed that there are about 92 airstrips classified as operational, non-operational while others are undergoing rehabilitation as well as new constructions across Nigeria.
Speaking at a one-day engagement with airstrip owners and operators, the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo disclosed that in line with its ease of-doing-business principle, the NCAA is working assiduously to promulgate regulations customised for airstrips which would be a catalyst for the promotion and development of general aviation.
The Programme with the theme: ‘Enhancing Safety, Compliance, and Collaboration for Efficient Airstrips Operations” brought together stakeholders from aviation government agencies, airstrip owners and operators among others.
Capt. Najomo said the objectives of the engagement was to enhance communication between NCAA, state and private airstrip operators/owners and to clarify regulatory requirements applicable to airstrip construction, operations and safety standards.
He listed others to include: “To identify and address challenges faced by state and private airstrip operators; to explore collaborative opportunities for airstrip development and integration into Nigeria’s aviation’s system. And finally to promote the adoption of global best practices in airstrip operations and management.”
The DG CAA was optimistic that the objectives would be fully realised and airstrip operations in Nigeria will, henceforth, be conducted in strict compliance with all regulatory provisions and global best practices.
The forum, Najomo, affirmed was in fulfillment of the mandate with emphasis on airstrip operations, while ICAO Annex 14 Volume 1 specifies standards for certification of aerodromes, adding that the standards may be considered over-reaching for airstrips.
Director General NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo
He added that “While of course, maintaining safety standards. This aligns, strategically, with the Minister’s five-point agenda.”
On his part, the Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at NCAA, Engineer Godwin Balang however said the proposed sanction is not a threat but a collective resolve while he added that a few of the airstrips are already up to date with their valid operational permits.
Balang explained that “The aviation landscape has changed drastically in the recent years so the regulatory strategies must necessarily align with the realities of the season for a more impactful result.
He said “We will therefore need to tweak our regulations and other guiding documents accordingly. This is the crux of this engagement.
“It is worthy of mention that among these 92 airstrips 68 are Federal Government airstrips being managed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
“While 24 belong to individuals and private organisations. This brings to the fore the need for deeper engagement of NCAA with the Ministry to streamline the operator and regulator status for effective management,” said Balang.
According to the Director, Section 71 (3) &; (4)(a) of the CAA 2022 empowers the Authority to certify and grant permits to conduct aerodrome operations in Nigeria and to establish minimum safety standards for the design, operation, and maintenance of Aerodrome.
He said that the engagement was an alignment with this mandate to advance airstrip regulation in Nigeria.
“Besides the basic Aerodrome and Ground Aids (AGA) processes for permits, the importance of Aviation security will be emphasised.
“There is a need to fashion out strategies to address emerging threats while maximising the use of the airstrips to contribute significantly to our socioeconomic development as a nation.
“We are conscious of the fact that one day is obviously not enough to exhaust discussions on this important subject,” he said.
Participants shared insights with the NCAA team ranging from reduction in fees for operators, overhaul, of some aspects of regulations and laws, among others.
