The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken a significant step forward by implementing automated procedures for the acquisition of Airline Operators’ Certificates (AOC) for both aspiring and existing airline operators. After years of manual processing, the adoption of electronic processes by the regulatory body aims to streamline and expedite the AOC acquisition process.
With this development, all intending airlines and existing carriers are now required to follow the new automated procedures, as directed by Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority. In a statement issued by Nuhu, it was revealed that the NCAA has also introduced enhancements to AOC Operations Specifications (Op.Specs) for all current AOC holders.
The directive, contained in an All Operator Letter referenced as NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/370 and dated August 18, 2023, applies to all AOC holders certified by the authority. The newly enhanced Op.Specs, described as multi-paged, now contain authorizations, conditions, limitations, and approvals issued by the Authority in accordance with applicable standards for operations and maintenance conducted by the AOC holder.
To comply with the directive, all AOC holders must electronically complete the relevant pages of the attached Op.Specs and submit them to the NCAA via the designated email addresses provided. The deadline for submission is August 23, 2023.
This development showcases Nigeria’s commitment to modernizing its aviation industry and improving efficiency in regulatory processes. By embracing automation, the NCAA aims to enhance the overall safety and reliability of airline operations while also ensuring a smoother experience for both aspiring and existing operators.
