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Octavus vehemently denies accusations of providing tainted aviation fuel to Max Air
In response to recent allegations regarding the supply of contaminated aviation fuel to Max Air, Octavus firmly denies these claims. As a reputable aviation fuel supplier, we maintain the highest standards of quality and integrity in our operations.
We want to emphasize that these accusations are baseless and without merit. Octavus adheres strictly to international standards and industry best practices in fuel supply and distribution. Our products are sourced exclusively from trusted partners such as NNPC and British Petroleum (BP), ensuring their reliability and safety.
We take pride in our role as a major supplier to both Nigerian and international carriers, delivering high-quality aviation fuels with utmost care. While unfortunate incidents involving Max Air’s aircraft have occurred, there is no evidence linking the fuel supplied by Octavus to these occurrences. In fact, we have successfully fueled numerous Max Air Hajj flights without any issues.
It is worth noting that we handle a significant volume of flights daily, and we have received no complaints about the quality of our products. Our track record and the trust placed in us by Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), who nominated us multiple times to handle the NNPC Intervention cargoes, attest to our reliability.
Given the complexities of aviation operations, it is vital to conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine the actual cause of these incidents. Octavus fully cooperates with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant authorities in conducting a thorough inquiry.
We prioritize the safety of the aviation industry and remain committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards for our fuel products. As a responsible corporate entity, Octavus assures our valued clients and the public that we will leave no stone unturned in establishing the truth behind these allegations. We will continue working closely with regulatory bodies to ensure the utmost safety and integrity in the aviation sector.
July 19, 2023
NCAA Indefinitely Suspends Max Air Domestic Flights
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the operations of all Boeing B737 aircraft of domestic carrier, Max Air.
The suspension is with immediate effect, according to a letter by the regulator to the domestic airline.
The letter was dated July 12, 2023 and marked NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/363. It was titled, ‘Suspension of Parts A3 and D43 of the Operations Specifications Issued to Max Air with Immediate Effect’.
The letter was signed by NCAA Director of Operations, Training and Licensing, Capt. Ibrahim Bello Dambazau, on behalf of NCAA Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu.
By implication, all domestic flights of the airline will be on hold until the suspension is lifted.
The letter read, “The Authority’s action is due to the several occurrences that involved your Boeing B737 aircraft as listed hereunder:
“Loss of Number 1 Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBD which occurred between Take-off at Yola Airport Adamawa State and on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja Nigeria on 7th May, 2023.
“Fuel Contamination of the main fuel tanks of aircraft B737-300, Registration Marks; 5N-MHM, leading to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) shutdown on ground Yola Airport on the 7th of July, 2023.
“Aborted take-off of Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBD, which occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) due to high Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) indication on the 11th of July, 2023.
“An air return by aircraft B737-300, Registration Marks; 5N-MHM to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) due to duct overheat indication in the cockpit on the 11th of July, 2023.
“The authority has constituted a team of inspectors to conduct an audit of your organization. The result of this audit, it said, must be found satisfactory by the Authority prior to considering the restoration of the privileges of the operations Specifications to your organisation to further operate the aircraft type.”
July 13, 2023
N1.2bn Debt: Why We Suspended Azman Air – NCAA
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed the suspension of Azman Air over the inability to provide the required documents for the renewal of its air transport licence (ATL).
Musa Nuhu, director-general of NCAA, said this on Thursday.
On Thursday, reports emerged that the regulator suspended Azman Air’s operating certificate (AOC), but the NCCA DG said it only suspended the airline’s ATL due to debt.
Nuhu said one of the critical documents is the tax certificate, which the airline could not provide because it failed to remit ticket and cargo sales charges amounting to N1.2 billion to the NCAA.
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The ticket sales charge (TSC) and cargo sales charge (CSC) are collected from travellers by the airlines.
The TSC/CSC is shared among five aviation agencies: NCAA, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
The NCAA gets 58 percent out of the total five percent of TSC/CSC.
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“We didn’t suspend Azman Air’s AOC but suspended their ATL, which had earlier expired. The ATL earlier expired in April 2021, but we gave the airline extension because of the disruption to aviation activities by the COVID-19 pandemic, just as we did for other airlines too. However, we wrote a reminder letter to the airline six months to the new expiring date, which is statutory,” Nuhu said.
“Later, the airline requested another extension of 90 days, but we only granted it 60 days, and at the expiration of the 60 days, we also gave it 30 days reminder, which elapsed on Wednesday night, yet nothing was done by the airline.
“Besides, the airline owed us N1.2 billion as TSC/CSC. We invited them and set up a committee for that purpose. Azman said they would pay the sum of N10 million monthly out of the debt, which we refused. They later came up to N20 million, but we insist on N50 million monthly.
“If we had agreed the N10 million monthly, it means it will take them about 12 years to repay the money it had already collected and by then, the money would have lost value.”
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The NCAA DG said the regulator would not renew ATL or AOC of any other airline owing the agency five percent TSC/CSC and appealed to other operators to pay up the backlog of debts.
In July 2022, NCAA kicked off a financial and economic health audit of airlines.
In the same month, it suspended Dana Airlines’ air transport licence (ATL) and air operator certificate (AOC).
NCAA had said the audit was in line with sections 35(2), 3(b), and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3(a)(1) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (http://Nig.CARs), 2015.
September 16, 2022
FG To Sanction Foreign Airlines Selling Tickets In Dollar
The federal government has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to sanction international airlines said to be refusing to sell tickets in naira.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, announced this on Wednesday while fielding questions after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Sirika said intelligence reports indicated that some of the airlines are refusing naira and charging their ticket fares in dollars in violation of the country’s laws, adding that NCAA had been mandated to deal with any of such airlines wilfully breaching the laws.
According to him, some of the airlines have also blocked local travel agencies from accessing their websites for transactions.
He said the foreign airlines had made over $1.1 billion from Nigeria from 2016, which could have been retained in the country if they were local airlines.
The minister said the airlines remitted over $600 million to their home countries in 2016 while over $265 million had also been released this year out of about $484 million due to them.
He said the government is trying to keep the airlines happy by ensuring that their money does not pile up again, stating that while the country needs their services, the airlines need the Nigerian market.
Sirika also cautioned them to refrain from using the social media to press home their demands but to rather use the diplomatic channels.
September 7, 2022
NCAA Suspends Dana Air Operations Indefinitely
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Dana Airlines’ Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC), indefinitely.
NCAA Director-General, Captain Musa Nuhu, announced this in a statement on Wednesday.
He stated that the suspension of the operations of the airlines would take effect from midnight of July 20.
“The suspension was made pursuant to Section 35(2), 3(b) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3(a)(1) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), 2015,” Nuhu said.
According to him, the suspension order has since been communicated to the management of Dana Airlines.
The NCAA chief explained that the decision was the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the airline by the Authority, and the findings of an investigation conducted on the airline’s flight operations recently, which revealed that Dana Airlines was no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.
“The NCAA acknowledges the negative effect this pre-emptive decision will have on the airline’s passengers and the travelling public and seeks their understanding, as the safety of flight operations takes priority over all other considerations,” the statement added.
The suspension of Dana Air operations adds to the woes and challenges bedevilling the aviation industry.
On Monday, Aero Contractors announced the temporary suspension of its “scheduled passenger services operations”.
The conditions of Aero’s decision, however, had nothing to do with regulatory action by the NCAA.
Aero contractors explained in a statement that its decision was “due to the impact of the challenging operating environment” on the airline’s daily operations. The suspension took effect on Wednesday.
“This does not in any way affect the Maintenance activities of the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) also known as Aero Training School, the Helicopter and Charter Services operations,” the airline said.
The airline acknowledged the inconvenience the move might cause.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to our esteemed customers and promise to return to service as soon as possible,” it said.
Airlines in the country have battled challenges in recent times, mainly as a result of the upsurge in the price of aviation fuel and other issues. The challenges which had led airlines to threaten to shut down operations and interventions by the government have remained in place leading to the latest announcement by Aero.
The management reflected this in its statement, stressing that the suspension of passenger operations was a tough decision.
It said, “This decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircraft are currently undergoing Maintenance, resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers.
“We are working to bring these aircraft back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd.”
July 21, 2022
NCAA Shuts Down Glo Abuja Base Station Over N4.5bn Debt
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has shut down Globacom (Glo) facility in Wuse 2 Abuja over a N4.7bn debt.
The exercise was led by the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, and was supervised by the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika.
The DG said the shutdown will continue on a number of Glo’s Main Switch Centres (MSC) across the country until the telecom company commits to a payment schedule.
Details later…
December 22, 2021
Emirates To Suspend Nigeria Flights From December 13
Emirates Airline on Friday said it was suspending all its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from December 13.
The airline’s decision comes after the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) limited its flight activities in Nigeria.
The NCAA had accused UAE authorities of not granting equal rights to the sole Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, flying to Dubai via Sharjah.
“With the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from 13 December 2021, until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue,” a statement from Emirates said on Friday.
“The last flights to operate on 12 December 2021are EK 783/784 to/from Lagos and EK 785/786 to/from Abuja
“Customers holding tickets with the final destinations Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted at the point of origin.
“Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans.
“Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused.
“In order to receive the latest updates on their flights, customers are also advised to ensure that their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking
“Emirates is committed to its operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travellers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai, and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations.”
December 11, 2021
Why We Withdrew Frequencies Approval For Emirates Airlines – NCAA
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has explained why it withdrew the ministerial approval granted to Emirates Airlines by the Ministry of Aviation.
Director-General of the NCAA, Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, in a statement on Friday said that it withdrew the approval following the refusal of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to grant equal rights to the sole Nigerian carrier, Air Peace flying to Dubai via Sharjah.
An airline frequency refers to how many services an airline may provide within a set period, usually on shorter routes between two large urban destinations.
Nuhu explained that the aviation minister, Sen. Hadi Sirika had granted Emirates Airlines 21 frequencies weekly to two major airports in Nigeria; Lagos, 14 and Abuja, seven.
He, however, explained that despite the approval, the GCAA refused to grant Air Peace three weekly frequencies to Sharjah, which the airline requested for, but rather approved just one frequency weekly.
According to him, the GCAA had attributed its refusal to grant the three frequencies to the airline to inadequate slots in the Sharjah airport, stressing that the government would continue to protect Nigeria’s businesses.
The withdrawal is expected to take effect from December 12, allowing Emirates Airlines to fly into Abuja just once weekly on Thursdays, while its Lagos flight has been suspended.
December 10, 2021
NCAA debunk reports of Air Peace aircraft Accident
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has categorically denied any reported air accident involving Air Peace or any other airlines, Mr Sam Adurogboye, the General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, said in a statement in Lagos, on Saturday.
Adurogboye said that the attention of the authority had been drawn to a sensational report that was trending that an aircraft belonging to Air Peace B737-500, with registration mark 5N-BQR, was involved in an air crash in Ilorin, on July 23.
“As a matter of fact, the said aircraft, which departed from Abuja successfully, landed in Ilorin. It only experienced a tyre burst in the course of taxiing.
“Meanwhile, all the 66 passengers and six crew members onboard were disembarked without any issues whatsoever on the same day.
“The Authority wishes to enjoin the travelling public to disregard such false and reckless presentations,” he said.
Adurogboye urged the media to partner, inculcate professionalism and avoid publishing false news that was capable of injuring blossoming reputations.
He said the NCAA was committed to ensuring safe and secure air transport in Nigeria and would stop at nothing to ensure that its record of over eight years of zero accident and fatality, in scheduled flight operations, continued.
July 25, 2021
Federal Government Cries Out Over N37bn Debt Owed By Airlines
The Federal Government has raised concerns over a 37 billion naira debt owed by airlines.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika told a media conference today that the airline debt owed agencies like Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has accumulated for over thirteen years and contributes to the poor management of Nigeria’s civil aviation sector.
According to Mr. Sirika, the Federal Government will, in line with current reforms double down on such debtors like the Bi-Courtney which owes 13 billion naira.
Sirika said the government is in the process of intensifying plans towards the concessioning of international airports in the country by the early second quarter of 2022. He said labour has been duly consulted.
The minister also stated that a total of 67 accidents have occurred in the last five years, of which 48 have been reported under the present administration to drive transparency in the system.
July 8, 2021