Nigerian Government Restricts Licensed Pilots From Working For Multiple Airlines Over Safety Concerns

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issued a directive on 6th November 2024 through a circular (NCAA/DGCA/AOL), signed by Ag. Director-General Capt. Chris Najomo, which labelled the practice as illegal.

“Instances where pilots operate for more than one airline concurrently without safety considerations of such actions pose a safety risk to the industry,” the circular warned.

Titled “PROHIBITION OF AD-HOC FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR MULTIPLE AIRLINES,” the document noted that flight simulators and training devices are operator-specific and based on approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for each airline.

“It has come to the notice of the authority through our surveillance reports that licensed flight crew members utilise the privileges of simulators and proficiency checks endorsed on their licence to operate for multiple airlines,” the circular stated.

The NCAA reminded operators and license holders that this directive, effective from 11th November 2024, would treat such actions as violations of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.

“The Authority will take appropriate enforcement action on violators of this directive,” it added, mandating that simulator renewals would now be tied to specific operators.