“They’re Illegal”: NCAA Suspends Operations of 10 Private Jet Companies, List Emerges
- The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the operations of 10 private jet companies
- The NCAA said the companies are operating illegally after failing to come for recertification of their PNCF license
- It disclosed that the operators use their PNCF license for commercial and other purposes
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy for over a decade.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a list of 10 private jet companies whose operations are illegal.
The NCAA disclosed that it suspended the companies' permits because they failed to complete a mandatory recertification process despite its orders.
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Suspended companies flout NCAA's orders
The regulator said the firms misused their Non-Commercial (PNCF) permits by engaging in commercial activities.
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The agency disclosed that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation 2023 prohibits PNCF holders from using their aircraft for commercial, cargo, or mail-for-hire operations.
According to reports, the NCAA had instructed all PNCF holders to re-evaluate their operations by April 19, 2024, but 10 operators still needed to comply, leading to their suspension.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, stated that engaging PNCF holders for commercial purposes is illegal.
Reports alsi say the Nigerian government had reported that some private jet owners are using their aircraft for commercial purposes and other illicit activities such as drug trafficking.
The names of suspended private jet companies
- 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
Legit.ng reported that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) invited private jet owners to Abuja for verification after failing to pay import duties.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) launched a thorough verification exercise targeting private jet owners operating in Nigeria.
The NCS, disclosed in a statement signed by the Customs management, aims to identify private aircraft improperly imported without required documentation.
The Customs said it aims to ensure adherence to import protocols and boost revenue generation.
Customs seeks to boost revenue
Reports say the statement said that by identifying and addressing undocumented aircraft, Customs seeks to enhance regulatory compliance in the aviation industry.
According to the statement, the verification is essential for maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s airspace, streamlining the import process, and boosting operational efficiency.
Customs announces date for verification
In addition, NCS said that the verification exercise for private aircraft in Nigeria will occur from Wednesday, June 19, to July 19, 2024.
The Customs said the verification programmes would be held at the Tariff and Trade Department Room at its service headquarters in Abuja.
Nigeria Customs grounds Nigerian bank’s aircraft
Legit.ng previously reported that NCS had grounded a US-registered Gulfstream G650ER jet belonging to a prominent Nigerian bank.
The move demonstrates the commencement of clampdowns on private jet owners over unpaid import duties that amount to billions of naira.
The development comes two weeks after the Customs began a one-month verification exercise for private jet owners in Nigeria. The exercise started on June 19, 2024, and would end on July 19, 2024.
Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and copyeditor at Legit.ng
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Source: Legit.ng
