
All of the wet-leased aircraft operated by United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) have been suspended by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The entire fleet of all wet-leased aircraft would stay grounded until the incident’s investigation was finished.
It was learned that the airline had received a letter on Monday outlining this position.
The decision to suspend all wet-leased aircraft in UNA’s fleet underscores the gravity with which the regulatory body views the situation. Wet-leasing, a common practice in the aviation industry, involves an airline renting an aircraft complete with crew, maintenance, and insurance. The temporary grounding of all wet-leased aircraft reflects the NCAA’s commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of air travel.
The communication of the suspension to United Nigeria Airlines occurred through a formal letter issued on Monday. This official correspondence outlines the suspension of all wet-leased aircraft and emphasizes that the suspension will remain in effect until the conclusion of a thorough investigation into the incident. Such a stringent measure highlights the NCAA’s dedication to upholding the highest safety standards and maintaining public confidence in air travel.
The suspension of UNA’s wet-leased aircraft highlights the critical role that regulatory bodies play in the aviation sector. The NCAA, as the regulatory authority overseeing civil aviation in Nigeria, is tasked with ensuring that airlines adhere to established safety protocols and standards. In situations where incidents occur, regulatory bodies must act swiftly to investigate, address concerns, and, when necessary, implement corrective measures to safeguard both passengers and industry integrity.
A source close to the NCAA claims that the regulatory body made the decision on Monday and sent a letter to the airline’s chief operating officer (COO).
The source claimed that until the inquiry into the Sunday incident involving one of the airline’s wet-leased aircraft concluded, all wet-leased aircraft used in airline operations would stay stopped.
It was gathered that immediately after the incident gained traction on social media on Sunday, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Musa Nuhu called an emergency meeting of the agency, where it was resolved that the excuse given by the airline was not tenable to the authority.
It was further gathered that the report obtained from the Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) contradicted the airline’s claim on poor weather situation in Abuja at the time of the diversion.
No fewer than two wet-leased Airbus A320-200 aircraft are in the fleet of United Nigeria Airlines