The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Monday, grounded an aircraft of the British Airways, due to operational reasons.

Mr Kola Olayinka, the Country Manager, British Airways, confirmed the development in a press statement released to aviation correspondents in Lagos.

The statement was released by Mr Chidiebere Onuorha of the Quadrant Company, the media outfit that handles the airline's publicity.

"British Airways confirms that its Abuja-London flight was stopped due to operational reasons.

"At the moment, the parts to fix the problem are being flown from London tonight and the flight will operate tomorrow to new timings.

"All British Airways passengers have been looked after, according to our operational standard procedures.

"British Airways flight 083 scheduled to depart London tonight is operating normally," the statement said.

However, Dr Joyce Nkemakolam, the Acting Director-General of the NCAA, in a text message to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the aircraft had a snag.

"The airline notified NCAA and it was grounded," he said.

The aircraft was said to be scheduled for London from Abuja when the technical snag was discovered, causing the airline to disembark its passengers.

link: http://odili.net/news/source/2013/apr/16/608.html

"The airline notified NCAA and it was grounded," he said

So what if the airline fails to? Can't the NCAA carry out independent assessment on each aircraft before the "green light" to take off? Anyways, thank God, another mishap averted.