Why Bola Tinubu’s First Nation Airways Operation Remains Suspended Indefinitely

The operations of the First Nation Airways have been suspended indefinitely.

And this is not an internal affair of the airline with politician Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the chief investor.

Sources confirmed the development is a sanction by regulating agency Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for “illegal operations”.

“First Nation Airways was suspended for unauthorized and illegal operations” societynow.ng learned.

The sanction comes via indefinite suspension of the Air Operators Certificate of the airline by the NCAA.

According to agency spokesman Sam Adurogboye “The suspension is sequel to the flagrant and continuous violation of the terms and conditions of issuance of it AOC by the airline thereby carrying out unauthorised and illegal operations.”

“The letter revealed that when the AOC of First Nation Airways expired, the airline did not have at least two airworthy aircraft capable of servicing its approved schedule as required by Part 9.1.1.6(b)(2) (ii) of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (Nig.CARS) 2015.

Consequently, the airline’s Air Operators Certificate (AOC) was, upon renewal, restricted to non-scheduled operation, (Charter) only.”

But rather than redeem self, the First Nation reportedly continued its operations and disregarded all warning to stop – even in the face of an official investigation.

Adurogboye disclosed “Subsequently, by a letter dated August 31, 2017, the airline was directed to stop the illegal operations forthwith, warning that failure to desist would lead to a suspension of its operating authorisation”.

“On further investigation, it was discovered that the airline had disregarded all warnings and continued with the unauthorised and illegal operations in violation of its AOC terms and conditions of issuance.”

According to the NCAA spokesman the suspension of the operations of the airline was communicated to the management through a letter with reference No. NCAA/DG/CSLA/RM/1-06/18/2304, dated May 11, 2018, and signed by the Agency’s Director General, Capt. Muhtar Usman.