NCAA Orders Private Jet Licences’ Reevaluation Within 72 Hours, Suspends 3 Operators

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has suspended the permits of three private jet companies for violating the terms of their permits and using their planes for commercial purposes.

This follows the threat by the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo on Monday that all private jet licensed operators carrying out commercial purposes they are not equipped for would be suspended.

LEADERSHIP reports that the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had in 2023 ordered the cessation of permit for non commercial flights (PNCF), against engaging in the carriage of passengers, cargo or mail for hire and reward.

Subsequently, in March 2024, the NCAA warned holders of the permit of PNCF against engaging in the carriage of passenger cargo or mail for hire and reward.

Acting director-general NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo said following its heightened surveillance on holders of permit for non commercial flights (PNCF) using their aircraft for hire and reward thereby violating their permit no fewer than three private operators had been found to be involved in violation of the annexure provision of their PNCF and Part 9114 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

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According to him, “In line with our zero tolerance for violation of regulations, the Authority has suspended the PNCF of these operators. To further sanitise the general aviation sector, I have directed a re-evaluation of all holders of PNCF be carried out on or before the 19th of April 2024 to ascertain compliance with regulatory requirements.

“All PNCF holders will be required to submit relevant documents to the authority within the next 72 hours.”

Part of the statement on Tuesday by NCAA DG further said, “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.

“This riot act is also directed at existing Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders, who utilise aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations.

“It must be emphasised that only aircraft listed in the Operation Specifications of the AOC are authorised to be used in the provision of such charter services. Any of those AOC holders who wish to use the aircraft for 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 wishes to reiterate to the travelling public not to patronise any airline charter operator who does not hold a valid Air Operators Certificate issued by the NCAA, when they wish to procure charter operations services.

“Finally, the NCAA encourages the legitimate players in the aviation industry to report the activity of such unscrupulous elements to the authorities promptly for necessary action.”