Victor EzejaThe Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has suspended the permit of three private jet operators over violation of their operational permit.
NCAA acting director General, Captain Chris Najomo, who made this known in a video message released on Tuesday, said some private jet operators that were given Permit for Non Commercial Flights (PNCF) have been found to operate commercial flights.
He recalled that the Minister of of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had in 2023 issued stern warning to such private jet operators to stop such acts.
Highlighting steps taken earlier in moitoring and warning the private jet operators to desist from such acts, Najomo said: “Subsequently, in March 2024, the NCAA 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.
“The Authority had also deployed its officials to monitor activities of private jets at terminals across the airports in Nigeria.
“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 91.14 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.”
The NCAA acting DG stated that the Authority’s zero tolerance policy for breaking rules was adhered to by suspending the plane operators for disobeying multiple warnings.
Aside from suspending permits of three private jet operators, the NCAA acting DG also disclosed that he has ordered that 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.
READ ALSO: NCAA Warns Private Jet Owners Against Engaging In Commercial Activities
“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 that 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.
“This riot act is also directed at existing Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders, who utilize aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations.”
He stressed 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 in the AOC operations specification.
“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 authority promptly for necessary action.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
