Arik Air has become the first airline in the Nigeria to receive the European Aviation Safety Agency’s Third Country Operators authorisation to fly into any European Union country.
The airline joined the 590 global airline operators that have successfully completed the stringent certification process, out of the 700 operators that applied for the certification audit, before the deadline of November 26 given by EASA.
It is also the only operator in Nigeria, West and Central African sub-regions, to get the EASA authorization, which is a requirement for all non-European airline operators to fly into EU countries.
Before now, airline operators were asked to apply for operating permits from each European country, until EASA came up with new requirements in 2014, which stipulated that any airline operator from outside the EU flying into the EU must fulfil the stringent safety, security, quality and operational requirements and comply with the International Civil Aviation Organisation safety standards and set a deadline of November 26 for the completion of the audit for the authorization.
Under the new rule, the EASA TCO approval is a single safety authorization, valid in all EASA member states and outlying territories.
After the expiration of the November deadline, airlines from non-EU countries would not be permitted to fly into any EU country until they achieve the authorization.
The stringent, vigorous and rigorous audit involves EASA scrutinising the operational procedures and documentation of the airline to assess its operational capabilities.
Speaking on the achievement, Arik Air’s Executive Vice President, Mr. Chris Ndulue, said the certification was a further testament to the airline’s high maintenance, security, safety and operational standards.
Ndulue said: “This certification is a testimony of our commitment as a quality airline, consistently adhering and operating to international safety and operational standards”.
“Arik Air declared its commitment to ensuring safety and security of its passengers, staff and assets, with a pledge to continuously invest in upholding its 10-year safety track record and raising the bar for safety standards in the region”.
