Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended permits for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) of ten private jet operators over illegal operations.
Gatekeepers News reports that NCAA made the announcement through a statement released by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu.
According to the agency, their permits were suspended because they failed to undergo a recertification process as directed by the regulatory authority.
This is after reports that most of the operators were abusing PNCF and using their jets for commercial flights or what is simply called in aviation parlance as hire and reward.
Note that Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4 forbids holders of PNCF from using their aircraft for CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, CARGO, or MAIL for HIRE or REWARD (commercial operation or charter services).
NCAA said, “As a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation which should have been concluded by the 19th of April 2024.”
Listing the names of the affected companies, the agency added, “To this end, the NCAA has suspended the permit for non commercial flights of 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, and Ezuma Jets Ltd.”
“The public is hereby notified that it is illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes.”
NCAA further enlightened the public “that it is illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes.”
It added that “The NCAA will not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations.”
“Furthermore, NCAA officials have been deployed to General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of the airports to monitor activities of the PNCF holders.”
