Private jet owners in Nigeria operating commercial services have been warned that they could lose their licenses if found to be non-compliant with regulatory requirements, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced.
During the unveiling of the agency’s forecast for 2024 in Lagos, Chris Najomo, the acting Director-General of NCAA, emphasized the potential consequences for private jet owners. This warning comes in the wake of a recent incident in which a private jet departing from the Federal Capital Territory crash-landed near the Ibadan airport in November.
The National Safety Investigation Bureau explicitly pointed out that the operator, Flints Aero Services Limited, had been issued a permit for a non-commercial flight, raising concerns about non-compliance with regulations.
Najomo highlighted the necessity for private jet operators to obtain a commercial license for conducting commercial or charter flights. He underscored that only holders of an Air Transport Licence and airline operating permit with a valid air operator certificate were authorized to engage in charter operations.
In an effort to enforce compliance, the NCAA plans to intensify surveillance on private jets not authorized for commercial operations. Najomo also mentioned that the NCAA will conduct sting operations to ensure that operators failing to comply and obtain an Air Operator Certificate cease their commercial activities.
Furthermore, Najomo stressed the authority’s commitment to simplifying certification and licensing procedures to promote ease of doing business within the aviation sector.
It is evident that the NCAA is taking a firm stance on adherence to regulations and safety standards in the aviation industry, ultimately aiming to enhance the overall operational integrity within Nigeria’s private jet sector.
