Nigeria grounds ageing aircraft

The plane came down in a densely populated area

The Nigerian Government has announced that it is grounding all ageing British Aerospace BAC 1-11 aircraft as a precautionary measure, after one of the airliners crashed in Kano on Saturday, killing more than 150 people.

Saturday's crash has given rise to fears that competition among Nigeria's private airlines - many of which use the 1-11 - may have led to cutbacks, including reduced maintenance work.

We don't want geriatric aircraft

Aviation Minister Kema Chikwe

British Aerospace has not reacted to the government's decision.

The Aviation Minister, Kema Chikwe, speaking in a radio and TV broadcast, said there would also be a thorough review of the private aviation sector's operations.

Kano investigation

In a separate measure, Ms Chikwe said the government's aviation authority would no longer register aircraft more than 22 years old.

"We are building the operations of airlines in Nigeria, we do not intend to do so with geriatric aircraft," Ms Chikwe said.

Owners of those aircraft already registered have been given a five-year deadline to phase them out, the minister said.

The minister also announced the setting up of a separate panel specifically to investigate the cause of the Kano crash.

She said one of the outcomes of the investigation would be to urge people living near Nigeria's airports to relocate for safety reasons.

Most of those killed in the Kano crash lived in the poor Gwammaja suburb.

Industry angered

Nigeria's domestic carriers have opposed the ban on older aircraft. They say that well maintained planes can operate safely for 35 years or more.

As long as it's well maintained, it [plane] should fly for 30 or 40 years

Aviation safety expert

Their claim is backed by the Aviation Safety Network (ASN) which documents all air accidents worldwide.

"It shouldn't really matter how old the aircraft is," Harro Rantner, of the ASN, in the Netherlands, told Reuters agency.

"As long as it's well maintained, it should fly for 30 or 40 years."

Industry experts say there are between 20 and 30 BAC 1-11 aircraft in Nigeria, and spare parts should not be a problem for operators.