The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has charged all the industry operators to strictly comply with the country's aviation regulations or face stringent sanctions.

Director General of NCAA Dr. Harold Demuren said this at the opening of a three-day workshop on the New Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) 2009 which began in Lagos on Monday.

He said: "If there is anything like violation, there is going to be a very strict penalty. The consequences are very grave. You may get your licenses suspended, withdrawn or revoked. If we are sure that an airline is no longer in a position to carry out a safe operation, we will revoke the AOC of that airline."

The programme was targeted at all airline operators, parastatals in the industry and other stakeholders to acquaint them with the rationale behind the revised NCARs such as the general policies, procedures and definitions of aspects of the new regulations.

At the end of the conference, the entire industry will be aware exactly what the new regulations are as regards compliance and enforcement.

The DG explained that the new regulations covers among others general licensing requirements, ATC license, flight crew licensing, aero medical, cabin crew licensing, approved training organisations (ATOs), aircraft registration and marking, approved maintenance organisation (AMO),operations and air operator certification and administration among others.

According to him, "Aviation is changing everyday and the requirements for safety have become paramount to all of us. As we move higher to achieve our safety standard and make sure we can have a safe operation, we need enduring safety regulations.

"This safety regulation is asking for 100 percent compliance. Things have changed in the industry. In the last two years now, you find out that we have not actually failed. That is the way to do it and that is the way we are going to meet up. We will be looking at various regulations. You must train your people do maintenance."