The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken decisive action, suspending the permits of three private jet owners for their involvement in illicit operations.
The NCAA cited violations of permit terms, specifically the unauthorized commercial use of their jets, as the reason for the sanctions.
Acting Director-General Chris Najomo announced the suspension of these three private operators via X on Tuesday.
This move comes after heightened surveillance by the country’s aviation authority on holders of permits for non-commercial flights (PNCF). Numerous reports indicated the misuse of aircraft for hire and reward, flagrantly breaching their permit conditions.
In a statement on Tuesday, Najomo said, “As a consequence of this heightened surveillance, no fewer than three private operators are 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 utilize aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations.
“It must be emphasized that only aircraft listed in the Operation Specifications of the AOC are authorized 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 patronize 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, NCAA encourages the legitimate players in the aviation industry to report the activity of such unscrupulous elements to the authority promptly for necessary action.”