NCAA Warns Against Pilots Working for Multiple Airlines Amid Safety Concerns
In a sharp warning to Nigerian flight crews, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has instructed pilots and crew members to cease working simultaneously for multiple airlines, citing severe safety risks and regulatory breaches. The directive, issued in a circular by NCAA’s Acting Director-General, Chris Najomo, comes after surveillance revealed an increase in pilots working ad-hoc for various airlines without regard to licensing restrictions.
The circular, titled “Prohibition of Ad-Hoc Flight Operations for Multiple Airlines,” dated November 6, 2024, stresses that any such action violates the NCAA’s regulatory framework. With reference number NCAA/DGCA/AOL, the directive states that flight simulator training and proficiency certifications are specific to an individual airline’s standards and operational procedures. This operator-specific approach, according to the NCAA, ensures consistency and reliability in safety measures—factors potentially compromised when a pilot works for multiple carriers.
The circular reads: “All operators and holders of pilot licenses are informed that this action will be treated as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations. The authority will take appropriate enforcement action on violators of this directive, effective from November 11, 2024.”
Support for the NCAA’s stance has come from aviation experts, including Captain Mohammed Badamasi, who underlined the ethical and professional concerns involved in “moonlighting” for multiple airlines. “It’s unprofessional for a pilot to work for two airlines,” Badamasi asserted. “A pilot’s loyalty should lie with their primary employer, who has often invested heavily in their training and entrusts them with multi-million-dollar aircraft. The risks involved aren’t just legal—they pose a real safety threat.”
Badamasi further explained that in cases of incidents involving a pilot working for another airline, liability could become a serious issue. “If anything goes wrong, an insurance company is unlikely to honour the claim due to breach of contract,” he cautioned. “They can’t vouch for the proficiency of a pilot who was not certified under their insured airline’s training standards.”
In a move to reinforce the NCAA’s directive, the authority confirmed that future simulator renewals and training approvals will be linked to specific operators only. With these tightened protocols, the NCAA aims to close the gaps that have allowed ad-hoc employment in the industry, safeguarding both operational integrity and passenger safety.
