Keyamo's Task Force Exposes Those Behind Illegal Private Jet Charters in Nigeria
- An aviation task force has uncovered widespread charter violations perpetrated by foreign-registered aircraft
- According to the task force set up by Festus Keyamo, the private jet operators breach regulations related to charter flights
- The investigation revealed that some wealthy and affluent individuals were also using their private jets for commercial purposes
Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology and the Stock Market.
Recent concerns voiced by Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, regarding the improper use of private jets for unauthorized commercial purposes have been confirmed.
A government task force, established by the minister and led by Aero Contractors' managing director Ado Sanusi, recently presented their initial findings at a press conference in Lagos.
Source: UGC
Widespread illegal charter operations
The investigation revealed that foreign-registered private jets are predominantly responsible for breaching civil aviation regulations related to charter flights.
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Roland Iyayi, the task force spokesperson, reported that their findings indicate a notable increase in private business jets in Nigeria, rising from 44 in 2005 to 157 today—a 357% increase.
He noted that these aircraft have long managed to avoid oversight by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) because of their foreign registration.
The task force also discovered a trend of unlawful charter activities involving not only minor operators but also affluent individuals using their private jets for commercial purposes.
According to The Sun, Iyayi noted that foreign-registered aircraft are the primary offenders in these illegal charters, as they fall outside the jurisdiction of the NCAA.
He said:
“When you have a permit for non-commercial flight, it gives you the privilege to operate your aircraft for private purposes. It is an aberration to now take the same aircraft on a PNCF to now put it on somebody else’s AON. What that suggests is that, you deliberately try to flout the provisions of what the regulation says."
He added that the operators have been implicated in other illegal practices, such as altering passenger manifests and failing to comply with regulations.
Legit.ng had earlier reported that the NCAA had warned that private jets engaged in commercial operations face the potential consequence of license revocation.
In July, the NCAA suspended the operations of 10 private jet companies operating illegally after failing to come for recertification of their PNCF license.
Wale Ogundeji, energy analyst, told Legit.ng that Nigeria's government crackdown on illegal private jet charters is a crucial step to ensure aviation safety and uphold regulations.
He said:
"By addressing unlicensed operators, the authorities aim to protect passengers and legitimate businesses while enhancing oversight in the aviation sector. This move not only promotes compliance but also helps prevent potential security risks associated with unauthorized flights."
He added that strengthening regulatory measures will ultimately contribute to a safer, more reliable aviation industry in Nigeria, fostering growth and maintaining international standards.
Nigeria customs grounds Nigerian bank’s aircraft
In related news, Legit.ng reported that Nigeria Customs Service 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 came two weeks after the Customs began a one-month verification exercise for private jet owners in Nigeria.
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Source: Legit.ng
