The Federal Government through the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Kayemo, has announced that going forward they will take action against private jet owners who illegally use their planes for commercial purposes, this may include grounding the jets and revoking their licenses.
The Minister stated this during a program entitled, “News Track”, on Channels Television on Sunday.
He emphasized on this growing issue where individuals obtain Permits for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) for their private jets, but then operate these aircraft for commercial flights, sometimes up to six to eight times a day.
According to the Minister, the President has issued direct orders to enforce thoroughly the penalties against such violations, ensuring that no one, including his own friends or those of the President, is spared from complying to these regulations.
In the minister’s word,”The President has given us marching orders. We are not going to allow this happen. People who are even my friends, or friends of the President, we are going to come hard on all of them, and perhaps ground all their planes and withdraw their licenses,”
In another development, in March 2024, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issued a strong warning to private jet owners about using their aircraft for unauthorized commercial activities.
NCAA stated that violators would face severe penalties. It explained that the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) granted to private jet owners explicitly prohibits the use of their aircraft for transporting passengers, cargo, or mail for compensation or hire
NCAA also disclosed that any private jet owner found conducting commercial operations or charter services would face serious consequences, including the suspension, withdrawal, or revocation of their permit, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022.
In order to enforce above regulations, NCAA has disclosed that it has deployed officials to General Aviation Terminal (GAT)and private airport so as to tackle these oversight. These officials are tasked with monitoring the activities of private jet owners to ensure compliance with aviation regulations.
