Nigerian Airlines Warned Over Delayed ICAO Regulation Implementation | The Flight Dispatchers Association of Nigeria (FLIDAN) has raised concerns over the slow implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Document 10106, warning that many Nigerian airlines are yet to meet the required Operations Control Centre (OCC) standards.
ICAO Document 10106, also known as the Manual on Flight Operations Officers/Flight Dispatchers Competency-based Training and Assessment, requires airlines and regulators to move away from traditional training systems based mainly on classroom hours and adopt a competency-based approach.
The framework focuses on practical skills, decision-making ability and operational readiness through structured training needs analysis, competency models and performance-based assessments.
Secretary of the Board of Trustees of FLIDAN, Senior Flight Dispatcher David Olatunji, said several operators still face challenges linked to dispatcher authority, documented shared decision-making processes and competency-based training.
He made the remarks at the FLIDAN Annual Conference in Lagos, which was themed: “Safety and Efficiency: The Flight Dispatcher’s Role.”
According to Olatunji, poor compliance with ICAO Document 10106 could affect operational safety and efficiency across the aviation sector. He explained that airlines with weak OCC structures may struggle during international safety assessments, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
“Non-compliance affects safety, especially during abnormal and emergency operations. Efficiency suffers when OCCs are not structured according to modern standards. Dispatcher professionalism is undermined when the OCC is not aligned with ICAO expectations,” he said.
Additionally, Olatunji highlighted the limited use of data analytics in operational control as another challenge facing the industry. He stressed that global aviation is becoming increasingly driven by technology, making it necessary for Nigeria to strengthen its operational systems.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has encouraged airlines to give flight dispatchers a greater role in safety management activities.
The NCAA Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, represented by Director of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards, Captain Donald Spiff, said dispatchers play a critical role in identifying operational risks and supporting effective decision-making.
He urged operators to involve dispatchers in safety reporting, investigations, enquiries and continuous safety improvement programmes.
“Their unique position enables them to identify operational hazards, contribute to risk assessment, and support informed decision-making before and during operations,” Captain Spiff said.
He added that the future of aviation would depend on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data analytics and advanced operational technologies.
FLIDAN believes stronger compliance with ICAO standards will improve flight safety, strengthen dispatcher professionalism and enhance Nigeria’s position within the global aviation community.
Nigerian Airlines Warned Over Delayed ICAO Regulation Implementation | AviationGhana
