Foreign Carrier Operating Permit (FCOP) Guidelines
Guidelines For The Commencement Of Operations By Designated Foreign Airlines On Nigerian Route
PREAMBLE
Foreign airlines wishing to operate scheduled services into Nigeria shall fulfill the under listed requirements:
- Be designated under an existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between its government and Nigeria.
- Submit necessary supporting documents through diplomatic channels, to the Nigerian aeronautical authority. Details of such designation must be in accordance with the provisions of the existing BASA, upon which such designation is being made.
- The supporting documents and notice of designation shall subsequently be forwarded by the Federal Ministry of Aviation to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for technical evaluation and issuance of Foreign Carrier Operating Permit.
- Designated airlines must fulfill the requirements of Part 10 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations on “ Commercial Air Transport By Foreign Air Carriers Within Nigeria” ( which is attached as Annex 1 to this guidelines) before the Foreign Carrier Operating Permit can be issued by NCAA.
- SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO BE PROVIDED
The supporting documents to be provided by the designating country/airline shall include:
- Details of the designated airline including:
- Name of airline.
- Address of its principal place of business (Head Office).
- Details of airline’s ownership structure.
- Nationality of airline;
- Address in Nigeria (if any);
- Names and addresses of the airline’s representative(s) in Nigeria;
- Addresses of proposed Town and airport offices in Nigeria;
- Proposed Ground Handling Company to be used;
- Aircraft type(s) to be utilized for the proposed operation.
- Aircraft configuration and specifications.
- Proposed date of inauguration of the airline’s operations.
- Airline’s Aircraft Documents
- Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).
- Evidence of comprehensive insurance cover for aircraft, passenger, cargo and third party liabilities.
- Certificate of Aircraft Registration (for each a/c) – to be operated on the route.
- Certificate of Airworthiness (for each a/c) – to be operated on the route.
- Airline Security Manual The designated airline is expected to:
- Attend a briefing on Guidance Materials for the development of the Air Operator Security Programme (AOSP) at the AVSEC Department, NCAA.
- Collect Guidance Materials for development of Air Operator Security Programme (AOSP) at AVSEC Department, NCAA.
- Submit a written Air Operator Security Programme (AOSP) in accordance with Regulation 4 of the Nig. CARs: Part 17 and National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) of Nigeria.
- Submit an Air Operator Security Programme (AOSP) 60 days before the commencement of operations in accordance with Reg. 7(a).
- Dangerous Goods Manual The designated airline is expected to submit a copy of its Dangerous Goods Manual which should be in accordance with Annex 18 to the Chicago Convention
- Other Supporting Documents
- Proposed tariff on the route.
- Proposed flight schedule/timetable.
- Existing/proposed commercial arrangements with other operators i.e. Alliance, Code share, Interline, Sales Agency etc.
- Evidence that substantial ownership and effective control of the airline are vested in the designating party or its nationals.
- Any other licence/approvals issued by the Aeronautical Authority of the airline’s home country.
- SAFETY AUDIT OF AIRLINE BASE
In accordance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Requirements, NCAA safety inspectors will be required to carry out safety assessment audit of the airline’s base before issuance of operating permit and commencement of operation