The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to the Bayelsa State-owned airline, Pioneer Airlines Limited “to commence non-scheduled flight operations following successful completion of the five-phase certification process.”
Speaking at the AOC presentation ceremony, held at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, congratulated the airline for meeting all regulatory and safety requirements.
Capt. Najomo described “the certification exercise as thorough and safety-driven, stressing that obtaining the certificate was only the beginning of the airline’s responsibilities, as NCAA oversight would intensify to ensure strict compliance with approved procedures and regulations.”
Capt. Najomo urged the airline “to maintain a strong safety culture and embrace voluntary compliance and internal reporting systems to prevent operational lapses.”
Pioneer Airlines’ Group Managing Director, Capt. Henry Ungbuku Okobaundu, expressed “profound appreciation to the NCAA management led by Capt. Najomo and the certification team for their guidance, professionalism and commitment throughout the certification process.”
Capt. Ungbuku assured that “the airline will maintain the required safety standards that earned them the certification.”
The Pioneer Airlines’ team also paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of the Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN.
At the occasion, Mr. Keyamo said the “rise in State-owned airlines is as a result of excellent aviation policies put in place by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu” noting that the “we should look out for more of such in the immediate future. This would significantly assist air travellers to have more choices of airlines with which they can travel.”
Pioneer Airlines Receives Air Operator Certificate To Commence Non-Scheduled Flights