By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
A ministerial taskforce has uncovered a staggering level of illegal charter flight operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, revealing that 90% of unauthorized private jet rentals in Nigeria occur at its General Aviation Terminal (GAT).
The damning report, submitted to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, exposes how private jet owners, including high-net-worth individuals and corporations illegally lease their aircraft for commercial use, bypassing regulations and depriving the federal government of revenue.
Chairman of the taskforce, Capt. Ado Sanusi, CEO of Aero Contractors, said investigations found that operators holding a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), were routinely violating restrictions against hire-and-reward services.
Minister Keyamo, upon receiving the report, condemned weak enforcement mechanisms that have allowed these illegal activities to flourish, warning of the national security risks posed by unregulated flights.
He vowed swift action, promising stricter oversight and tougher penalties for offenders.
The taskforce, set up in June 2024, was mandated to crack down on the growing menace of illegal charter flights.
Minister Keyamo commended the team, along with the NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), for their efforts in unearthing the violations.
With the government now poised to tighten aviation regulations, all eyes are on the authorities to see how swiftly and effectively they will dismantle this illicit operation.
