NCAA suspends three private jet operators for engaging in commercial flights

NCAA suspends three private jet operators for engaging in commercial flights

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it has
suspended the permit of three private jet operators for engaging in commercial
flights.

 

Chris Najomo, acting director general of the NCAA, announced
the suspension of the three private operators in a statement read to all
airlines on Tuesday.

 

This is coming a day after Festus Keyamo, minister of
aviation and aerospace, said the federal government would arrest and sanction
illegal flights and non-certified personnel.

 

Najomo said the use of private jets for commercial purposes
got Keyamo’s attention in November 2023, prompting the minister to issue
directives for the cessation of such activities.

 

 “Subsequently, in
March 2024, the NCAA had issued a stern warning to holders of the permit for
noncommercial flight (PNCF) against engaging the carriage of passengers, cargo
or meal for hire reward,” Najomo said.

 

“The authority had also deployed its official to monitor
activities of private jet terminals across airports in Nigeria. As a
consequence of this heightened surveillance, no fewer than three private
operators have been found to be in violation of the annexure provision of the
PNCF and part 9114 of the NCAA regulations.

 

“In line with our zero tolerance for violation of
regulations, the authority has suspended the PNCF of these operators.

 

 “To further sanitise
the general aviation sector, I have directed that a reevaluation of all orders
of PNCF be carried out on or before the 19th of April 2024 to ascertain
compliance with regulatory requirements.”

 

Najomo also said all PNCF holders will be required to submit
relevant documents to the authority within the next 72 hours.

 

“This riot act is also directed at existing air operators
certificate (AOC) holders who utilise aircraft listed on the PNCF for commercial
chatter operations,” Najomo said.

 

“It must be emphasised that only aircraft listed in the
operation specifications of the AOC are authorised 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 it from their PNCF and include it into the AOC operations
specifications.”

 

The NCAA also urged travellers not to patronise any airline
or charter operator who does not hold a valid AOC issued by the NCAA when they
wish to procure chartered operation services. 


 

Najomo also encouraged legitimate players in the aviation
industry to report the activities of such “unscrupulous” elements to the
authorities promptly for necessary action.

Source: NCAA suspends three private jet operators for engaging in commercial flights

 - NigerianEye
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