NCAA Issues Air Operator Certificate to Fly-Pyatic, Reaffirms Safety as Top Priority

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reaffirmed that safety remains the foundation of all aviation operations, describing it as non-negotiable, as it officially presented an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Fly-Pyatic, the aviation arm of Pyatic Group.

The certificate, presented at a ceremony in Abuja, authorises the airline to commence commercial flight operations. Fly-Pyatic is positioning itself to offer executive charter services, non-scheduled flights, and fleet management for partner operators.

Speaking at the presentation, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, stressed that obtaining the AOC marks only the beginning of an airline’s operational journey. He emphasised that maintaining compliance and operational discipline is paramount.

“What is important now is not just obtaining the AOC but maintaining it. Safety remains non-negotiable. We are committed to supporting operators while ensuring the highest standards of safety and operational discipline are maintained across the industry,” Najomo said.

The AOC certifies that Fly-Pyatic has met the NCAA’s stringent requirements covering safety management systems, aircraft maintenance protocols, personnel competence, operational procedures, emergency response frameworks, and overall organisational capability.

In his response, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Pyatic Group, Capt. Aliyu Ahmad Yakubu, described the certification as a significant milestone in the company’s vision to leverage aviation as a driver of business growth and economic development.

“For Fly-Pyatic, the AOC represents more than permission to fly. It represents a belief that mobility creates access, access creates opportunities, and opportunities transform lives,” Yakubu stated.

He added, “This is more than a certification; it is the foundation for a bigger vision. We are building an aviation-led enterprise where mobility enables business growth, connects opportunities and creates lasting value.”

Yakubu noted that the airline intends to deliver executive mobility solutions tailored to businesses, entrepreneurs, organisations, and government institutions, offering flexible and reliable travel options.

He acknowledged the structural challenges within Nigeria’s aviation sector, including infrastructure gaps, high operating costs, and financing constraints, but expressed confidence that significant opportunities remain for innovative operators. According to him, Fly-Pyatic believes the future lies in positioning aviation not merely as a luxury, but as a strategic tool for productivity and economic growth.

The Group Chief Operating Officer of Pyatic Group, Mr. Bola Adeeko, further explained that the airline’s services are designed around the demands of modern business leaders.

“When people move faster, businesses grow faster. Today’s leaders are not simply looking for flights; they want reliability, flexibility, privacy and the ability to maximise every hour. That is the value Fly-Pyatic is bringing to the market,” Adeeko said.

He added that the airline’s executive mobility model prioritises time efficiency, safety, flexibility, and measurable business outcomes, particularly for corporate executives and government institutions requiring dependable travel solutions.

Yakubu concluded by emphasising that for such customers, the real cost of travel is rarely the ticket price, but rather the meetings missed and opportunities lost to airport queues, cancellations, and travel uncertainties. Fly-Pyatic aims to eliminate these inefficiencies while delivering safe, reliable, and time-sensitive aviation services.