The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the permits of three private jet operators.
This move comes after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, issued a directive in 2023 to cease the use of private jets for commercial flights.
According to the Acting Director General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo on Tuesday, the regulatory body had earlier issued a warning in March 2024 to holders of the permit for non-commercial flights (PNCF) against engaging in the airlifting of passengers, cargo, or mail for hire and reward.
“Subsequently, in March 2024, the NCAA had issued a stern warning to holders of the permit for non commercial flights, PNCF, against engaging in the carriage of passenger cargo or mail for hire and reward,” Najomo stated.
The NCAA’s heightened surveillance at airport terminals across Nigeria led to the identification of three private operators which were found to be in violation of the annexure provision of their PNCF and Part 9114 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.
“As a consequence of this heightened surveillance, no fewer than three private operators have been found to be involved in violation of the annexure provision of their PNCF and Part 9114 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023,” Najomo explained. “In line with our zero tolerance for violation of regulations, the Authority has suspended the PNCF of these operators.”
The regulator has also directed that the re-evaluation of all non-commercial flight permit holders be carried out on or before April 19, 2024. All PNCF holders have been instructed to submit relevant documents to the authority within the next 72 hours.
“The Authority had also deployed its officials to monitor activities of private jets at terminals across the airports in Nigeria,” Najomo added.
The Explainer learnt that the move by the NCAA is part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with aviation regulations and prevent the misuse of private jets for commercial purposes. The regulator has urged the travelling public to only patronize airline charter operators who hold a valid Air Operators Certificate issued by the NCAA.
The suspension of the three private jet operators’ permits and the ongoing re-evaluation process from the perspective of the NCAA’s is part of its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry and protecting the rights of legitimate commercial airlines in Nigeria.
