NCAA stops pilots from working for multiple airlines

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has warned flight crew members, especially pilots against working for multiple airlines concurrently with their approved privileges simulators and proficiency checks endorsed on their licence.

The authority stated that such action posed a serious threat to safety and would be treated as a serious violation of the NCAA Regulations.

This was contained in a circular obtained by the PUNCH on Tuesday.

The circular addressed to all aircraft operators by the  Acting Director-General NCAA,  Chris Najomo, with the Title: ‘Prohibition of Ad-Hoc Flight Operators for Multiple Airlines Background,’ dated November 6, 2024.

The NCAA, with the reference number NCAA/DGCA/AOL, said that its surveillance reports discovered the unprofessional conduct.

NCAA insisted that the flight simulator training device/facility approved by it is operator-specific based on the training programme and the Standard Operating Procedures for such an airline only.

The letter read partly, “With effect from the date of issuance of this directive, all operators and holders of pilot licenses are informed that this action will be treated as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.

“The authority will take appropriate enforcement action on violators of this directive, effective from November 11, 2024.

“Simulators renewals from henceforth will be filed to the operators.”

Reacting to the development, Capt. Mohammed Badamasi, backed the NCAA’s directive, saying it was an act of unprofessionalism for a pilot to work for multiple airlines.

He said such an act not only portends the question of loyalty but also puts the airline where the pilot had gone to act as an ad-hoc staff at risk of losing should anything go wrong.

He said, “It is very unprofessional for a pilot to work for two airlines because aside from you being an employee of a company, there is also the place of loyalty to your employer. Why should a pilot work for multiple airlines when you primarily have an employer who may have invested in your training and all?

“How can multimillion-dollar equipment be handed over to you as a captain by a company and such a company still won’t be able to earn your loyalty? Even aside from loyalty, there is a breach of legal agreement because as a pilot you must have signed an agreement with your employer. You must sign a bond.

“Again, God forbid that anything happens, the insurance company will not pay, they won’t pay because that is a clear breach of agreement, the insurance company does not know the competence of the alien pilot handling the aircraft at the time of the incident.”