NCAA Grounds Chanchangi Airlines

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Monday grounded Chanchangi Airlines over inadequate aircraft to carry on its services.

The decision was said to be in line with the Federal Government‘s policy of not allowing airlines with one plane to operate in the country.

Chanchangi, which used to have about six planes, is currently left with only one due to lack of money to receive the four aircraft it sent overseas for scheduled maintenance.

Two weeks ago, the airline had suspended operations to fix its only aircraft that was damaged by bird strike recently.

The plane came back to operations last week but was later suspended on Monday by NCAA.

The Federal Government had in 2001, after the crash of the EAS BAC1-11 aircraft in Gwarmaja, Kano, banned lone aircraft owners, citing lack of back-up as reason.

Chanchangi Airline, like other domestic carriers, has been struggling due to financial challenges.

The develoment had prevented it and other local carriers from acquiring more aircraft, as well as collecting those sent out for maintenance.

Most of the domestic airlines are heavily indebted to banks.

An officer of the airline, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development to our source on Monday.

NCAA was said to have discovered that the airline had only one plane during a routine check.