Discovery Air begins NCAA supervised mandatory flights

Discovery Air, a potential new entrant into the nation’s airline business said it has started the mandatory flights preparatory to being issued Air Operators Certificate (AOC) by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The Managing Director, Capt. Abdulsalami Mohammed, who disclosed this yesterday, said the airline has commenced test flight with a Boeing 737 aircraft, expressing hope that the process would be completed very soon.
Test flights and demonstration flights are mandatorily carried out by intending operators, and on successfully completion of such flights, are certified by the regulatory body, which further empowers the airline begin scheduled commercial flight operations.
The test flights are to determine the serviceability of the aircraft, and equipment on the ground.
The Discovery boss said the airline has signed partnership agreement with ATC Lasham Limited, Southend, United Kingdom and EAS Perpignor, France to provide technical support for its fleet and entire operations.
According to him, “We are currently undergoing a painstaking, professional and transparent process leading to our certification. We have commenced our proving flights using our Boeing 737 aircraft and we expect to conclude the process soonest.”
Mohammed explained that the airline is cooperating fully with the NCAA) to ensure the timely completion of the process.
In his words, “Discovery Air is resolute in adhering to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR) as well as globally recognized safety standards.”
Capt Mohammed disclosed that majority of those that will be recruited to drive the airline will be Nigerians, adding that experts with specific skills will only be brought in to groom Nigerian successors.
Daily Independent