Maureen Ihua-Maduenyi
An unlicensed ground handling company, identified by eyewitnesses as Menzies Aviation, on Wednesday operated at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Sources with knowledge of the development hinted that the firm handled an Air Cote d’Ivoire flight to Abidjan, adding that the firm was based in Dublin, Scotland, with an office in Accra, Ghana.
A source, who craved anonymity, told journalists that the firm used the ground handling equipment of Arik Air, which is not licensed to engage in ground handling for other airlines but has the right to handle some of its own operations.
“The ground handling company has no operating licence, yet, they helped with the handling services of Air Cote d’Ivoire today (Wednesday). They used Arik Air equipment, meanwhile Arik Air is not a ground handling company,” a source said.
According to the source, the development is an indication that the nation’s airports are porous.
It was alleged that the company used the licence of Precision Aviation Handling Company Limited, which was issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority but had yet to commence operations.
Although Arik Air could not be reached for comment on the development, the General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
Adurogboye said the agency got to know about it on Wednesday and had commenced investigations.
According to him, PAHCOL told the NCAA about a planned partnership with Menzies Aviation but the process has not been finalised.
He stated, “We have received the report and have invited all the parties involved. It is true that Precision applied to partner the firm but they are still in the process, which hasn’t been finalised.
“We are meeting with them on Thursday and the outcome will determine what punitive measures to take.”
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source http://punchng.com/unlicensed-ground-handling-firm-operates-at-mmai/
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