Minister Of Aviation Orders Investigation Into Aero Ladder Saga
The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika has ordered for an immediate investigation into the use of a ladder by Aero Contractors Airlines to disembark passengers from a charter flight at the Bauchi Airport on Saturday, December 19.
Vanguard reports that in a statement signed by his Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, James Odaudu, the minister said the act by the airline is not in tandem with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).
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Part of the statement reads: ''Several reports received by the Honourable Minister have indicated the airline used a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 aircraft at the Bauchi airport on Saturday December 19th 2015. the act is inconsistent with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).
''The investigation will determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to developing and implementing measures that will prevent a reoccurrence of the unsafe and unacceptable procedure that exposed passengers to high risk of serious injury. If the airline is found culpable, the full weight of sanctions within extant laws and regulations would be applied on it.''
The minister assured the Nigerian flying public that ministry will collaborate with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure that airlines adhere strictly to internationally recognised aviation practices, while adding that the ministry will not abandon its responsibility to ensure a safe and secure air transport services in Nigeria.
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Meanwhile, the management of the airline has explained why they had to use a ladder to disembark their passengers from the plane. According to the airline, the air stairs equipment at the Bauchi Airport, became unserviceable at the point of disembarkation.
Recall that in October 2015, Port Harcourt International Airport topped the rating of 10 worst airports in the world.
Source: Legit.ng
