Management of Firstnation Airways has refuted the reports that its airworthiness status has been downgraded from scheduled to non scheduled operator.
In a statement signed and made available to African Business Travel News (ABTN) by its spokesperson, Rasheed Yusuf, the airline said its Airworthiness status was never downgraded..
Arguing that there is a clear distinction between Certificate of Airworthiness(C of A) and Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), Yusuf explained that the airline voluntarily reduced its operational capacity to adjust to fleet capacity while it embarked on the rigorous process of renewing its AOC.
“It has become necessary to issue the following clarification to correct misconception in some section of the media relating to the status of our current operation. Our Airworthiness status was never downgraded as wrongly reported. There is a clear distinction between Certificate of Airworthiness(C of A) and Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC)”.
He added that the AOC was successfully renewed for charter operation
“Our Air Operators Certificate (AOC) fell due for renewal on July 31, 2017; this is the third successful renewal that we have achieved working in good faith with Regulatory Authorities. The renewal process entailed subjecting our operations to rigorous and demanding audit processes covering all areas of our activity. Well before the AOC renewal, we voluntarily reduced our flight frequency to well within the capacity of our current fleet. The AOC was successfully renewed for charter operation and we have contracts for sales distributions.” It stated..
While claiming it remained committed to the highest level of safety standard in line with Global industry best practices, the airline said, “We are currently working on a fleet expansion program and we are confident that we will expand to schedule operation during the fourth quarter of 2017”.
On the penalties on it engaging in safety infractions, Firstnation said: “We are working with the NCAA with respect to the outcome of our recent appeal. It is imperative, that this is the very first infraction that has been alleged against us. We thus remain bullish about the outlook of this AIRLINE.”
