SAHARA REPORTERS
The Nigerian government had in March 2024 issued a stern warning to holders of the permit for non-commercial flights (PNCF) against engaging in the carriage of passenger, cargo or mail for hire and reward.
Some officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) discreetly allow private jets to illegally engage in commercial charter service against the status of their licence and contrary to industry regulations, SaharaReporters has gathered.
The Nigerian government had in March 2024 issued a stern warning to holders of the permit for non-commercial flights (PNCF) against engaging in the carriage of passenger, cargo or mail for hire and reward.
While some of private jets were bought for private use, the NCAA had said that some of them had veered off their scope of operations and were engaging in hire serves for reward.
Such practice runs contrary to the regulations of the agency.
Jets involved in charter services by the NCAA regulation ought to remit five per cent of the revenue it earns as ticket sales charge to the authority.
In July, the regulatory agency also suspended the permits for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) licences of 10 private jet operators for “failing to comply with an earlier recertification directive aimed at curbing the misuse of private jets for commercial operations”.
Despite the warning and suspension of permits, top sources in the NCAA revealed to SaharaReporters that several private jets were being flown for charters after paying bribes to some top NCAA staff.
Some of the aircraft deployed for charter services in direct contravention of regulations include an Embraer Legacy 650 jet (5N-SJI).
The aircraft is said to be owned by former Delta Governor, James Ibori.
Four Embraer Legacy 600 with registration numbers 5N-JLA, 5N-ONC, 5N-LRK, 5N-FZE were also mentioned.
“Despite the directive issued by the Honourable Minister of Aviation (Festus Keyamo) explicitly prohibiting private-registered jets from being used for charter purposes, such activities remain rampant.
:It is increasingly evident that several private jets are continuously flown for charters, often facilitated by unscrupulous activities within the NCAA,” one of the sources explained.
Another source corroborated, “The following aircraft, registered as private, are frequently deployed for charter services in direct contravention of regulations:
“5N-SJI (linked to James Ibori)
5N-JLA
5N-ONC
5N-SPL
5N-EGL
5N-LRK
5N-CDM
5N-ELE
5N-ARA
5N-BMT
5N-FZE
5N-AMK
“These operations highlight systemic failures in enforcement and oversight. The widespread misuse of private jets for commercial charters undermines the integrity of the industry and creates an uneven playing field for legitimate operators.”
The source added, “Some NCAA officers are actively engaged in criminal activities, including but not limited to: suing certificates for cash bribes. Providing fake clearances for aircraft operations in exchange for financial gains.
“Colluding with operators to bypass regulations, thereby jeopardising passenger safety and the credibility of the aviation sector.”
It was also learnt that NCAA’s policy restricting the maximum age of aircraft to 22 years was being flagrantly ignored…
