The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has downgraded Med-View Airline (Kano) from a scheduled passenger carrier to a charter operator following its prolonged inactivity.

Nigeria's Guardian newspaper said, citing regulatory and company sources, that the move was the first step in a possible revocation of the airline's Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) that could take place as early as November 10. Nigerian civil aviation regulations (NCAR) prohibit the non-usage of an Operator's Licence (OL) for between three to nine months or the violation of its terms therein.

Med-View suspended flight operations in August after its only remaining active aircraft - B737-500 5N-BQM (msn 28055) - was grounded for technical reasons. Although the airline subsequently claimed the 21.6-year-old jet would be returned to service within a week, it has remained inactive ever since. Its two B737-300s are currently said to be undergoing maintenance at Tallinn Lennart Meri (Estonia) and Lagos respectively.

Med-View also owns a single B777-200(ER) which is currently stored in Nigeria.

Airline management had not responded to a ch-aviation request for comment at the time of going to press.