The move could open up a new front in the country’s growing aviation sector and deepen ties with China, the world’s second-largest economy.

The C919, built by state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), is China’s answer to Boeing and Airbus in the global narrow-body jet market.

Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director General, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo told Reuters the agency is weighing the months-long process of certifying the jet, which has yet to receive approval from Western regulators.

“We’re looking at the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is where we have to start,” Najomo said on the sidelines of the UN aviation agency’s assembly in Montreal.

What they are saying 

For COMAC, certification in Nigeria would be a critical step in its bid to enter the African market.

• The Chinese planemaker has already held several talks with Nigerian officials and has offered maintenance and training support to local carriers.
• COMAC is also exploring dry lease arrangements, a financing model that allows airlines to lease planes without crew, an attractive option for Nigerian operators looking to expand capacity.

Abdullahi Ahmed, CEO of NG Eagle, a Nigerian carrier with three jets, said his airline is open to adding COMAC aircraft if they are certified and backed by adequate maintenance and training support.

• Currently, COMAC’s C919 is only flown by Chinese airlines, while its smaller ARJ21 regional jet (sometimes referenced as C909 in Southeast Asia) has gained some traction outside China.
• But the company faces hurdles as its planes are not yet validated by U.S. or European regulators.
• It is also falling behind on delivery targets, and the U.S. this year temporarily halted exports of CFM engines produced by GE and Safran that power the C919 amid trade disputes.

Why this matters 

The NCAA’s consideration of COMAC’s C919 could reshape Nigeria’s aviation sector in several ways.

• For airlines, certification could diversify aircraft supply beyond Boeing and Airbus, creating competition and potentially lowering costs.
• For China, it would mark a significant breakthrough in its quest to globalize its aviation industry, using Nigeria as a launchpad into Africa.
• If approved, Nigerian passengers could soon see Chinese-made jets on local routes, a development that would underscore the country’s rising importance as a testing ground for new entrants in global aviation.

What you should know 

With a population of 230 million, Nigeria represents one of Africa’s biggest potential aviation markets.

• The country’s 13 active airlines rely heavily on leased aircraft, and recent improvements in Nigeria’s Aviation Working Group rating.
• Meanwhile, affordability remains a challenge due to higher air travel costs for many Nigerians.

Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that average real airfare in Nigeria dropped by 43.6% between 2011 and 2023, making flying relatively more accessible.

Credits: NCAA

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The incident occurred on Sunday, June 13, when a Boeing 737-524 aircraft belonging to Air Peace veered off the runway after landing at Port Harcourt International Airport.

Though no damage was reported, the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) later disclosed that the aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold, well beyond the recommended zone, before stopping 209 meters into the clearway.

Medical tests conducted on some crew members reportedly revealed traces of alcohol and cannabis, sparking concerns over safety lapses. However, Air Peace disputed the findings, maintaining that not all members of the flight crew were culpable.

Speaking during an X Space session on Saturday, Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, explained that both the regulator’s internal investigation and the NSIB preliminary report absolved the co-pilot of blame.

“I learnt yesterday that the NCAA was being blamed for giving clearance to the first officer. But based on the NCAA internal findings and the NSIB preliminary report, the co-pilot was not found culpable.

“In fact, he advised the captain to go around, which the captain did not heed. Given that, we believe it is unjust to keep someone grounded for a year while an investigation is ongoing if there is no evidence of wrongdoing,” Achimugu said.

He stressed that it would be unjust to ground a crew member for months without evidence of wrongdoing, noting that NCAA rules are designed to reflect fairness and are constantly reviewed to meet real-life challenges.

Airlines are allowed to have internal policies and mechanisms on certain issues, and they are required to submit compliance reports to the authority. However, as is the case globally, no matter how sound regulations may appear on paper, their true strength is only revealed when tested by real-life incidents. That is why regulations remain subject to review and updates,” Achimugu said.

The NCAA spokesperson further disclosed that the matter is being closely monitored by Chris Najomo, the agency’s Director General, who has commenced further investigations.

He also clarified that the NCAA follows internationally recognised post-incident assessment procedures, including the use of NCAA-approved testing centres, and that outstanding questions lie within the remit of the NSIB.

“I have reached out to the NSIB and spoken to their team, but I’m still waiting for comprehensive feedback. I flagged certain inconsistencies that I believe require urgent clarification. My DG has just returned to the country and is expected to speak to the matter formally tonight,” Achimugu added.

Credits: Air Peace

The post Why Air Peace co-pilot was cleared after Port Harcourt runway incident – NCAA first appeared on AircrewNews.com.