Nigeria Suspends Three Private Jets for Operating Commercially

Nigeria’s aviation regulator, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has suspended the permits of three private jets found to be engaging in commercial activities against the stipulations of their operating permit.

This move comes as part of a broader effort to crack down on the misuse of private jets for commercial purposes.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, ordered the re-evaluation of Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) to address the issue of private jet operators using their aircraft for commercial purposes.

The NCAA had previously warned against the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mail for hire and reward under the PNCF.

To ensure compliance with regulations, the NCAA has deployed its officials to monitor activities at airports across Nigeria.

In response to violations discovered during this heightened surveillance, the Authority has suspended the PNCF of three private operators.

The regulator has also directed a re-evaluation of all PNCF holders to ascertain their compliance with regulatory requirements.

Furthermore, existing Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders who use aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations must apply to the NCAA to delist the affected aircraft from the PNCF and include it into the AOC operations specification.

The NCAA emphasized that only aircraft listed in the Operation Specifications of the AOC are authorized to provide charter services.

It also urged the public not to patronize any airline charter operator who does not hold a valid Air Operators Certificate issued by the NCAA.

This crackdown on private jets operating commercially is a clear indication of the NCAA’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations.