THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it has suspended the licences of 10 private jets over failure to begin the recertification of their operation.
The suspension also followed concerns about alleged money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities by some private jet operators in the country as earlier raised by the minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo.
The NCAA director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this in a statement on his X handle on Friday, July 5.
He said the NCAA suspended the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight Operations (PNCF) of Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, and Matrix Energy Ltd.
Others are Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd and Ezuma Jets Ltd.
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4 forbids holders of PNCF from using their aircraft for CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, CARGO or MAIL for HIRE or REWARD (commercial operation or charter services)
“As a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation which should have been concluded by the 19th of April 2024,” Achimugu stated.
He said it was illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes as the NCAA would not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations.
Keyamo had in April issued a directive for private jet owners to cease using their flights for commercial purposes following the suspension of three private jet owners.
At the time, Keyamo stated that in line with the Nigeria aviation zero tolerance for violation of regulations, the authority had suspended the PNCF of the three operators to further sanitise the general aviation sector.
He further directed a reevaluation of all holders of PNCF to be carried out on or before April 19, 2024, to ascertain compliance with regulatory requirements.
The order was also directed at existing Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders, who utilise aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations.
To address alleged money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities by private jet operators in Nigeria, the minister had last month inaugurated an eight-member ministerial task force committee on illegal private chartered operations and related matters.
“To stem the practice of illegal chartered operations including illicit activities raising security and safety concerns culminating to significant financial losses to the Federal Government, Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FciArb. (UK), has inaugurated a Ministerial Task Force Committee on illegal private chartered operations and related matters,” Keyamo said.