Yemisi Izuora
The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman has directed the management of Arik Air to review their existing security arrangement around their aircraft when not in operation.
In the specific, the airline operator has been ordered to ensure the presence of static security guards at all times at its aircraft parking positions.
According to Captain Usman, this directive is consequent upon the stowaway incident involving an Arik aircraft A340 CS-TX on a scheduled service to JFK Airport, New York.
Therefore, in order to forestall any future occurrence and subsequent security breach, the airline needs to take urgent remedial actions.
The Regulatory Authority clearly recognises the clause in the airline’s Approved Air Operator Security Programme that the responsibility of securing aircraft when not in service lies with the airport operator.However, as evident with recent developments, increased capacity is required to safeguard aircraft.
The DG therefore reiterates that static security guards be continually deployed to the foot of the aircraft when not in operation.
Capt. Usman added that this measure will subsist for this period pending when all investigations on the incident are concluded.Thereafter adequate measures will be established and implemented by all concerned stakeholders.