The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has taken the step to suspend the permit of three private jet operators due to their involvement in commercial flights. This decision was conveyed through a stern statement on the NCAA’s website, which was posted on Tuesday and signed by the Acting Director General, Captain Chris Najomo.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had previously issued a warning to private jet operators who were operating commercial services without the necessary licenses. He highlighted that such unauthorized activities were leading to significant revenue losses for the Federal Government.
Keyamo emphasized the financial implications of operating private jets commercially and stressed the need for compliance with regulations to ensure safety and revenue generation for the government.
Acting promptly on the warning issued, the acting DG of NCAA moved to suspend three jet operators who were found to be in violation by continuing commercial flight operations despite prior warnings.
Najomo, in justifying the suspension, noted that the repeated disregard for warnings necessitated action in line with the Authority’s strict adherence to regulations and commitment to upholding safety standards.
As part of the regulatory crackdown, all holders of the Permit for Non-Commercial Flights were directed to submit relevant documents within 72 hours for evaluation to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
The statement also addressed Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders utilizing aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations, stressing the importance of proper authorization and compliance with operational specifications.
NCAA urged the public to only engage with airline charter operators possessing valid Air Operators Certificates issued by the Authority to ensure safety and adherence to regulatory standards. Additionally, collaboration from legitimate industry players was encouraged to report any illicit activities promptly for necessary interventions.