ValueJet Responds to Pilot Suspension, Pledges Full Cooperation with NCAA Investigation

ValueJet has issued an official response to the recent 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 NCAA had earlier disclosed that the aircraft’s captain initiated departure procedures without obtaining mandatory pre-departure clearance. The regulatory body described the pilot’s actions as “reckless” and a serious violation of aviation protocols, stating that it endangered the safety of ground staff and other airport users. As a result, the licences of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba were suspended with immediate effect.

In a statement released on Wednesday, August 6, ValueJet acknowledged the incident and expressed its commitment to cooperating fully with the NCAA’s 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 airline further revealed that both crew members involved were immediately removed from duty pending the outcome of its own internal review.

“Safety is not negotiable at ValueJet. We strictly adhere to regulatory procedures and international aviation standards. We remain committed to accountability and continuous improvement at all levels of our operations,” the statement emphasized.

ValueJet also commended the NCAA for its prompt and decisive response, assuring the public of its support in upholding safety and professionalism within Nigeria’s aviation industry.

“We appreciate the NCAA’s swift action and will continue to collaborate closely with the Authority to maintain the integrity of the aviation sector,” the airline concluded.