Nigerian government suspends ten private jet operators

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced on Thursday that it has revoked the licenses of ten private jet companies that violated the agency’s regulations.

The development was announced by NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Michael Achimugu in a statement on the agency’s official X page.

According to the statement, NCAA Rules 2023, Part 18.3.4, prohibit holders of a non-commercial flight permit (PNCF) from using their aircraft to transport passengers, cargo or mail for compensation (commercial operations or charter services).

Due to the blatant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had previously instructed all PNCF holders to undergo a re-evaluation, which was supposed to be completed by April 19.

“For this reason, the NCAA has suspended the NON-COMMERCIAL FLIGHT AUTHORIZATION of Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, Matrix Energy Ltd and Marrietta Management Services Ltd.

Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd and Ezuma Jets Ltd,” the agency said.

It was pointed out that the employment of PNCF holders for commercial purposes was illegal and that the NCAA would not hesitate to take enforcement action against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal activities.

“In addition, NCAA officials have been deployed to the General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of the airports to monitor the activities of PNCF holders,” the agency said.

In April, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the NCAA exposed three private jet owners to conduct commercial flight operations.

At the time, the NCAA said the use of private jets for commercial purposes had prompted Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to issue instructions to stop such activities.

“In line with our zero tolerance for regulatory violations, the agency has suspended the PNCF of these operators. To further rehabilitate the general aviation sector, I have ordered a reassessment of all PNCF holders to be conducted on or before April 19, 2024, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements,” NCAA acting director Chris Najomo was quoted as saying. said.

Mr Najomo said that all “PNCF holders must submit the relevant documents to the authority within the next 72 hours.”

This uprising was also directed against existing Air Holders of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) who use aircraft listed in their PNCF for commercial charter flights.

Meanwhile, last month Mr Keyamo inaugurated an eight-member ministerial committee on “illegal private charter flights and related matters” to look into alleged money laundering, drug trafficking and other illegal activities by private jet operators in Nigeria.

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“In order to curb the practice of illegal charter flights, which include unauthorised activities that raise safety concerns and ultimately result in significant financial loss to the Federal Government, the UK Minister for Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FciArb., has established a Ministerial Working Group on Illegal Private Charter Flights and Related Matters,” the Minister said.