Airport ladder disembarkation: Aero Contractors absolves self of blame

Aero Contractors Airline has absolved self from blame over the use of ladder to disembark passengers at the Bauchi airport on December 17.
Speaking in a released by the Acting Managing Director/ Accountable Manager, Capt. Russell Lee Foon, he said the airline used the ladder as a last result to disembark passenger on flight 5N-BLG, a Boeing 737-500 from Abuja to Bauchi  due to the failure of the airport manager to provide the airline with air stars to disembark and board passengers.
There is currently no ground handling company at the Bauchi Airport to provide airliners with gangway equipment to disembark the passengers.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA has imposed an applicable sanction on Aero Contractors Airline in  line with Nigeria Civil Aviastion Regulations(Nig.CSARs) over the use of ladder to disembark passengers.

The Director General of the Regulatory Authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman, said in the release “the action of Aero Contractors Airline in allowing the use of a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 – 500 aircraft in a non-emergency situation is contrary to its approved aircraft handling manual.”
“Therefore this is a violation of Part 9.2.4.2(b) of Nig.CARs  which part attracts a civil penalty. All relevant agencies made useful submissions during the course of the investigation.”
 ‘’In view of the safety implications of your action you are hereby sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of Part 20.2.3(15) of the Nig.CARs.’’
“Although the incident did not result in any mishap, the aircraft is airworthy and the Crew well qualified to operate the flight. However, it is viewed as a breach and resultantly, a fine running into millions of naira have been clamped on the airline to serve as deterrence and to forestall any similar infraction by any other airline operator.”
Further The DG said, “In addition, the Captain of the flight was similarly fined for failing to comply with the provisions contained in the aircraft manual.”
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ,NCAA, therefore wishes to reiterate its earlier warning that all airlines should endeavour to adhere strictly to Civil Aviation Regulations.