In a major policy shift aimed at enhancing aviation safety, the Nigerian government has imposed a new restriction that prevents licensed pilots and flight crew members from working across multiple airlines.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) rolled out the directive on November 6, 2024, stressing that cross-employment in the aviation industry poses unacceptable safety risks.
The circular, identified as NCAA/DGCA/AOL and signed by Acting Director-General Captain Chris Najomo, is a clear message to Nigeria’s aviation sector that safety takes precedence over flexibility in staffing arrangements.
The directive, titled “PROHIBITION OF AD-HOC FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR MULTIPLE AIRLINES,” underscores that flight simulators and training devices are uniquely aligned with each airline’s approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
This specificity, the NCAA argues, makes cross-airline operations for flight crews hazardous.
“Instances where pilots operate for more than one airline concurrently without due consideration to the unique safety requirements pose significant risks,” the directive emphasized.
“The NCAA has observed through surveillance that some licensed crew members are leveraging their simulator and proficiency credentials to work with multiple airlines—a practice that is now deemed illegal.”
From November 11, 2024, any pilot or crew member caught operating for multiple airlines could face regulatory penalties. In addition, the NCAA announced that all simulator renewals and proficiency checks would now be linked to a specific airline.
This requirement aims to curb ad-hoc engagements across different airlines by reinforcing the exclusivity of training alignment with one airline’s SOPs.
The new regulation signals a heightened focus on safety in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where the NCAA is reinforcing its stance on rigorous compliance.