…Omni-Blu Aviation licence restored after investigation
By Dickson Pat
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has said that the Federal Government will rehabilitate the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos before concessioning.
The Minister disclosed this in a clarification he made on X, seen by AljazirahNigeria.
In his clarification, the Minister denied reports that there are no plans to concession the Lagos airport.
Keyamo said, “The Federal Government is considering sourcing for funds to totally refurbish the Lagos International Airport.
“The model of funding is yet to be finalised, but even if the Federal Government invests its own funds in rehabilitation, it does not stop the concessioning of the airport for the purpose of proper running and management”.
The concessioning of Murtala Mohammed International Airport has been stalled due to a pending lawsuit filed by aggrieved bidders.
Recall that the controversy over the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two ,MMA2, concession to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited ,BASL, has dragged on for over 16 years.
in a similar vein, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has reinstated the Air Operator Certificate of Omni-Blu Aviation, based on document shared by the airline.
This comes nearly two months after the NCAA revoked the company’s licence over allegations of document falsification,
But the airline Chief Executive Officer ,CEO, Akin Olateru said on Monday that it appealed NCAA’s decision and emerged successful.
NCAA in a letter dated February 28, 2025, with ref: NCAA/DGCA//DLS/CS/2025/013 said Omni-Blu Aviation had presented evidence proving that the falsified avionics readout report for a Sikorsky S76C helicopter ,MSN 760486, Reg. Mark 5N-BQG, was facilitated by the aircraft’s owner, Eastwind Aviation Limited.
NCAA said its investigation shows there was no intention to falsify or knowledge of the falsification on the part of OmniBlu Aviation.
The airline said, “We wish to thank the NCAA appeal review panel and the DG NCAA for painstakingly and dispassionately undertaking this administrative review and reaching a most equitable decision.
“We also wish to thank our clients, customers, stakeholders, industry friends and well-wishers, and everyone who through calls, text messages and visits showed solidarity, believing in us and our avowed integrity through this most difficult experience.
“It is worthy of note that 2025 will be the tenth year since OBA obtained its AOC and started commercial flight operations, never has she been implicated for any sharp practice or cutting of corners in order to obtain any certifications or approvals from the NCAA”.
