The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a Fokker 50 aircraft with registration number PH�3XJ belonging to Arik Air Limited and ordered the company to pay a fine of $20,000.
The aviation regulating body accused Arik of importing the aircraft, which was manufactured in 1991, without due diligence and �failure to comply with the mandatory pre-arrival of aircraft safety inspection.
According to the Media Assistant to the Director-General of NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, �the fine of $20,000 has been imposed on the airline, while the affected aircraft has been grounded forthwith.�
He also stated, �NCAA has also directed that the aircraft should leave the country forthwith,� noting that the Authority in its oversight function is determined to ensure effective air transportation in Nigeria.
But in a swift reaction, the management of Arik Air Limited said it alerted NCAA of the arrival of the aircraft because �the aircraft ought to have been inspected before being flown into the country or a waiver obtained.�
In a statement made available to THISDAY, Arik�s Head of Communications, Mr. Gbemiga Ogunleye said representatives of NCAA had met with Arik and had discussions, but �what has complicated matters is that Virgin Nigeria apparently had applied to the NCAA to carry out pre-arrival inspection of the same aircraft.�
Ogunleye also told THISDAY that the company would immediately send the 16-year old aircraft out of Nigeria in response to NCAA�s directive.
Mar72007