The Director-General, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, has said airlines who fail to report serious aircraft incidents during flight operations could lose their licences.

He said Mandatory Occurrence (incident) Reporting (MOR) is compulsory and airlines who default would lose their Air Operator Certificates.

The DG stated this Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the NCAA and the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) Joint Committee on the implementation of safety recommendations.

The 11 man Joint Committee will review NCAA's responses to Safety Recommendations issued by AIB on accidents and serious incidents. The committee has five members from each agency and one appointee from the Ministry of Aviation.

"It is expected that safety and accident investigation experts will have the opportunity to sit down together to review safety recommendations that have been proposed by the Bureau and the responses provided by the Authority, their implementation where necessary and the review of effectiveness of these measures with time."

AIB Commissioner, Mr. Akin Olateru, said: "The Joint Committee will also provide for the coordination of activities with regards to aviation occurrences, respect for the mandate and responsibilities of each organization, effective and efficient exchange of information and data amongst others."

While the NCAA regulates the industry, AIB investigates serious incidents and accidents.

Over the years he said the two agencies have worked together to ensure the effective discharge of their duties while ensuring that Safety is not only established but promoted to higher levels.