Azman Air has denied the widespread report that it sold its aircraft to Iran even as it threatened to take legal action on the allegations.
Recall that there has been a controversy over the alleged sale of its two aircraft to Iran without following due process and in violation of international sanctions on Iran.
The aircraft – Airbus A340-600 with registration number 5N-AAM and Boeing 737-300 with the registration number 5N-YSM – were allegedly sold without the knowledge of the NCAA.
They were allegedly sold to Mahan Air, Iran’s largest airline.
According to the report, the aircraft was flying from Kano to Kabul when its crew turned off the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder at an altitude of 39,000 feet after entering Iranian airspace, though it eventually landed at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.
But the airline has denied the allegations, saying its aircraft only went to Iran for C-Check.
The Accountable Manager of Azman Air, Muhammad Hadi AbdulManaf, spoke on the allegation, saying that their aircraft only went to Iran on a routine C- Check as mandated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
He said, “Our Aircraft went on a routine maintenance C-Checks which is due after every 18 months. I’m really shocked to hear that we smuggled our aircraft to Iran. Is it a cow that can be smuggled? The story is fake and lacks any facts.”
He explained further that the time for the C Check should have been completed, saying the report has no basis whatsoever.
Muhammad said, “There is a clear guideline from the NCAA on selling and deregistering aircraft from our AOC. Unless that is done, the aircraft is still under our control. The NCAA has not received any document or correspondence from Azman in that regard.
“But of particular interest is the issue of the turning off of the transponder. We have already written the Iranian CAA for clarification on that.
“If a transponder was turned off outside our jurisdiction, then the CAA or Air Traffic Control of that country would have complained to us.
“We have received no such complaint. So there is no way we would have known. So we are seeking clarification on that.
“How were these aircraft deregistered before they were sold? We need to investigate. These investigations are ongoing.
“One key issue under scrutiny is the alleged deactivation of transponders on some aircraft. The NCAA has reached out to the Civil Aviation Authority of Iran for clarification, as the incident reportedly occurred outside Nigerian jurisdiction.
Azman management further clarified that “the transponder developed a fault en route to destination Airport which was logged and filed in the tech log and submitted to NCAA.”
Also, the management of Azman Air went further to address the sanction on Iran Republic, saying “We are not aware of any sanction between Nigeria and Iran.
“As a matter of fact, there are economic treaty documents signed between D8 countries (Nigeria, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia Pakistan and Bangladesh), for the economic benefits of the eight countries, which allow free trade on aviation services and products between the D8 countries.”
He insisted that the airline had not sold their aircraft or smuggled aircraft without the authorities’ knowledge, adding that those behind the news should wait for legal action.