The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has imposed a fine of
N9.5 million on a non-schedule airline for operating in the country
without flight clearance.
The NCAA spokesman, Sam Adurogboye, said in a statement on Sunday that
the Letter of Sanction conveying the penalties had been sent to Lyxor
International, a non-schedule general aviation operator.
He said the NCAA sanction came after the operator severally violated
the terms of its approved flight clearances for non-scheduled
international air services.
Mr. Adurogboye said the NCAA found clear evidence from the flight
records that the aircraft was operated within the Nigerian airspace in
violation of its flight clearances between December 11, 2016 and
February 15, 2017.
“Therefore, in accordance with IS 1.3.3.3. Table 2 viii (6) of the
Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig CARS 2015), the airline is
hereby sanctioned for
failure to comply with the conditions of approved flight clearances
for non-scheduled international air services.
“This provides for a moderate civil penalty of N500,000 per violation.
“The airline is hereby required to pay the sum of N6.5 million (i.e.
N500,000 x 13) for the 13 times the aircraft ought to have flown out
of Nigerian airspace in compliance with the approved clearances but
was stationed in Nigeria.
“In addition, for the six times the aircraft violated the approved
routes, the operator shall pay a moderate civil sanction of N3 million
(i.e. N500,000 x 6).
“The respondent shall however, pay the sum of N6.5 million only,
having made a deposit of N3 million towards possible sanctions,” he
said.
Mr. Adurogboye added that the airline was expected to pay these fines
within seven days of receipt of the letter.
According to him, NCAA’s Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) on February
16, had during a routine Ramp Inspection of the airline’s Bombardier
Challenger CL605 aircraft, found it culpable of the infraction.
Mr. Adurogboye said: “Therefore, upon this discovery, the aircraft
with registration mark T7-YES was immediately grounded by the ASI at
the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA), Abuja.
“However, the aircraft was subsequently released after the payment of
N3 million on volitional condition on account of possible civil
sanction.
“This was in addition to an undertaken to comply with any sanction
applicable as a result of the violation.”
He said the NCAA found the airline’s response to its Letter of
Investigation unsatisfactory after due consideration.