The Federal Government yesterday denied any political motives behind the revocation at the weekend, of the operating licenses of Slok Airlines owned by the Abia state Governor, Orji Kalu and the IRS Airlines owned by Kano millionaire, Alhaji Ishyaku Rabiu.

Yuguda who briefed newsmen in his office yesterday accused the management of Slok Airlines of operating two aircraft illegally contrary to the terms of its operational license.

"Slok Air has two aircraft listed on their Ops Specs but they are operating four aircraft which contravenes the Civil Aviation Air Navigation Regulations (ANRS) part 9.1.3(2) (3)(4).

"Slok Air has also violated Air Operator's Certificate maintenance requirements as contained in ANRs Part 9.4.5 because they have not met certifying staff Aircraft Maintenance (CSAM) Personnel requirement for the number of aircraft in their fleet," Yuguda said.

As for IRS Airlines, he said "the inability of the aircraft to take off at the appropriate point is indicative of the lack of airworthiness of the aircraft with serious safety implication" adding that, all necessary steps to get the airline effect repair on the damaged equipment proved abortive.

Meanwhile, in Lagos the NCAA disclosed yesterday that the airlines' operating licences otherwise known as Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) were suspended and not revoked as claimed by the ministry.

The NCAA Director General, Engineer Fidelis Onyeyiri, said that the AOCs were not revoked but suspended.

"Slok Air is a new airline. They brought in two airplanes first before they met certain standards. Then, they brought in additional airplanes and that was where the problem started from," Onyeyiri said.

Asked to comment on what constituted the "unethical practices" levelled against Slok for the sanction, he said: "We don't usually disclose those reasons except when we go to court and forced to. It is like a doctor not disclosing the airlment of his patient."

Onyeyiri rounded up saying the allegation of "unethical practices" was noticed about two weeks ago.