NAMA, DSS caution airlines, pilots over violating airspace 

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and the Department of State Services (DSS) have cautioned airlines operating in the country against violating prohibited areas in the airspace.

Both agencies held crucial talks targeted at addressing recent airspace violations in the country, especially in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

During the deliberations, they emphasised the essence of maintaining safety and security standards within the Nigerian airspace, as well as adhering to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines, particularly those outlined in Section 4444 of the Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM).

These guidelines establish standardised procedures to ensure the safe, efficient, and orderly flow of global air traffic.

The meeting which was held at the DSS headquarters in Abuja became imperative on the heels of recent encroachments of No-Fly Zones by airlines operating in the nation’s airspace given that violations of prohibited areas pose significant risks to aviation operations and national security.

At the meeting, Farouk Umar, managing director of NAMA, stressed the need to educate airlines and pilots about adhering to established protocols, listening attentively to air traffic controllers, and maintaining stringent security measures.

“Ensuring the safety, efficiency, and reliability of air travel within our airspace is our primary mission. Strict adherence to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, particularly those outlined in Section 4444 of the Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM) as domesticated by Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority in the Nig. CARS Part 14(2023), security protocols, and the no-fly zones designated in the AIP are sacrosanct,” Farouk said.

A statement signed by Abdullahi Musa, director, public affairs and consumer protection, for the agency, said the NAMA boss called for strict adherence to the prohibited designated and NOTAMed no-fly zones as published in the Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) as this was critical in ensuring the security and safety of air navigation in the country.

Also in his remarks, Steve Ojelade, the DSS director of security enforcement, noted that no-fly zones were non-negotiable, stressing that any violations by airspace users could attract severe consequences, including potential military intervention to safeguard national security assets.