The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has intensified its efforts against unauthorized commercial flights by suspending three private operators found to be conducting commercial operations without the necessary licenses. This move is part of a broader crackdown mandated by the Nigerian government to ensure aviation safety and regulatory compliance.
Chris Ona Najomo, the acting director general of the NCAA, stated that the authority’s surveillance at private jet terminals across Nigeria revealed that at least three operators were violating civil aviation regulations. The identities of these operators have not been disclosed. As a result, their Permits for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCFs) have been suspended.
In a stringent measure to uphold standards, Najomo announced that all PNCF holders would undergo reassessment by April 19 to verify compliance with the regulatory requirements. He also issued a warning to air operator’s certificate (AOC) holders using aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations. Only aircraft explicitly listed in the operation specifications (OpSpecs) of their AOC are permitted for such services.
Additionally, Najomo advised those seeking charter flights to only use companies holding a valid AOC issued by the NCAA and encouraged legitimate airlines to report any illegal activities.
This regulatory enforcement follows concerns raised by Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo about the illicit commercial use of private jets, first highlighted in November. By March 2024, the NCAA had already issued warnings to PNCF holders against using their aircraft for commercial gain, underscoring the government’s commitment to eradicating unauthorized charter operations.
