Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, on Friday, suspended the permits of 10 private jet operators over illegal operation.
Consequently, the permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) of the affected operators have been suspended by the NCAA.
The NCAA wielded the big stick following the failure of the affected operators to undergo a recertification process as directed by the regulatory authority.
There had been allegations that most of the operators had been abusing the PNCF, using their jets for commercial flights or what is simply called in aviation parlance as “hire and reward.”
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).
However, following the flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation which was supposed to have been concluded by April 19, 2024.
But following the failure of the operators to adhere, the NCAA has suspended the permit of 10 operators.
The affected operators include:
Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd
Bli-Aviation Safety Services
Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd
Matrix Energy Ltd
Marrietta Management Services Ltd
Worldwide Skypaths Services
Mattini Airline Services Ltd
Aero Lead Ltd
Sky Bird Air Ltd
Ezuma Jets Ltd.
NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a statement said that “that it is illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes.
“The NCAA will not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations.
“Furthermore, NCAA officials have been deployed to General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of the airports to monitor activities of the PNCF holders.”