By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned flight crew members, especially the pilots, against working for multiple airlines simultaneously.
According to the NCAA, such actions could pose serious threat to safety and would be treated as a serious violation of the NCAA regulations.
Capt. Chris Najomo, Acting Director-General of the NCAA in a letter dated November 6, 2024, said the unprofessional conduct was discovered by its surveillance reports.
The circular noted that the licence issued to pilot or any member of the flight crew is based on the approved Standards Operating Procedures (SOPs)
The circular noted that instances where pilots operate for more than one airline concurrently pose risk to safety.
“Yes, it is possible for pilots in Nigeria to work for multiple airlines, but there are certain conditions and factors that influence this”.
Heritage Times HT reports that under contractual terms, pilots may work as contract employees, which may give them the flexibility to work for multiple airlines, especially if their contracts allow for part-time or freelance arrangements.
However, many airlines prefer to have pilots working exclusively for them, especially for full-time or senior positions. This is due to safety, training, and operational consistency concerns. This can vary by airline and the specific role of the pilot.
The NCAA has regulatory frameworks in place to ensure that pilots are well-rested and not overworked. It emphasizes that pilots must adhere to regulations regarding flight hours, rest periods, and safety standards, to avoid fatigue or violations of aviation laws.
