ValueJet has announced its full cooperation with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regarding an incident involving one of its aircraft at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
On August 5, the NCAA suspended two ValueJet pilots over a safety breach at the domestic terminal of the airport.
The authority said preliminary findings showed that the pilot commenced departure procedures from the designated bay without adhering to the mandatory pre-departure clearance protocols.
According to the NCAA, the “reckless action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards”.
Acknowledging the incident in a statement on Wednesday, ValueJet said it is aware of what transpired and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
“We acknowledge the seriousness of this incident and are fully cooperating with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in their ongoing investigation,” the airline said.
“The crew involved were removed immediately from active duty, pending the outcome of a thorough internal review and investigation that has commenced to understand the root cause and prevent any recurrence.”
ValueJet stressed that safety is “not negotiable”, adding that it operates under strict adherence to regulatory procedures and international safety standards.
The airline commended the NCAA’s swift response and pledged continued collaboration with the authority to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
