ValueJet has officially responded to the incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, which led to the suspension of two of its pilots by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The development comes after the NCAA disclosed that the ValueJet pilot allegedly began departure procedures without obtaining mandatory pre-departure clearance, an action described as “reckless” and in violation of aviation regulations and safety standards.
According to the NCAA, the pilot’s actions endangered not just ground personnel but also other airport users. As a result, the regulatory body swiftly suspended the licences of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, pending further investigation.
In a statement released on Wednesday, August 6, ValueJet confirmed the incident and assured the public of its full cooperation with aviation authorities.
“We acknowledge the seriousness of this incident and are fully cooperating with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in their ongoing investigation,” the airline’s management stated.
The airline also confirmed that the affected crew members were immediately removed from active duty, pending the outcome of both internal and external investigations.
“At ValueJet, safety is not negotiable. We operate under strict adherence to regulatory procedures and international safety standards. We remain committed to accountability and improvement across all levels of our operations.”
The incident has drawn significant attention within the aviation sector, with stakeholders applauding the swift action taken by the NCAA to uphold safety protocols.
As investigations continue, ValueJet reiterated its commitment to restoring trust and ensuring that such lapses do not occur again.