Keyamo Convenes Aviation Chiefs Urgently Amid Safety Concerns

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for a meeting with heads of aviation regulatory agencies to address recurring safety issues in the industry. The summons, posted on Keyamo’s official X account on Monday, November 27, 2023, outlines a comprehensive assessment of recent incidents during the meeting.

The agencies summoned include the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Federal Airport Authority Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Keyamo aims to discuss recent accidents in the sector and subsequently brief the press on the outcomes to prevent future occurrences. In response to expressed safety concerns from the public, the minister expressed the need to review incidents causing these concerns and ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent future incidents. Sanctions may be applied where necessary for past incidents.

This development comes on the heels of the recent incident involving United Nigeria Airlines, where a Lagos-Abuja bound flight was diverted to Asaba, Delta State, due to poor weather conditions. Flight NUA 0504, scheduled to depart from Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, was en route to Abuja but was grounded at Asaba International Airport, causing confusion among passengers.

In response to the incident, the NCAA reportedly suspended all wet-leased aircraft under United Nigeria Airline. This decision was communicated to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the airline via a letter from the apex civil aviation regulatory body.

As the meeting with regulatory agency heads approaches, the aviation industry is under heightened scrutiny, with a focus on addressing safety concerns and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. InfoStride News will keep you updated on the outcomes of this crucial meeting and any subsequent developments in the aviation sector.