The acting director-general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo has mandated a re-evaluation of all holders of Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) to be completed by April 19, 2024, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Najomo issued this directive during an address to airlines, emphasising that all PNCF holders must submit relevant documents to the authority within the next 72 hours.
He stated, “The authority has deployed its officials to monitor activities of private jets at terminals across airports in Nigeria. As a consequence of this heightened surveillance, no fewer than three private operators violate the annexure provision of their PNCF and Part 9114 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.
“In line with our zero tolerance for violations, the authority has suspended the PNCF of these operators. To further sanitise the general aviation sector, I have directed a re-evaluation of all holders of PNCF to be completed by April 19, 2024, to ascertain compliance with regulatory requirements. All PNCF holders will be required to submit relevant documents to the authority within the next 72 hours.
“This directive also applies to existing Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders who utilise aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations. Only aircraft listed in the operation specifications of the AOC are authorised for such charter services. AOC holders wishing to use the aircraft for charter operations must apply to NCAA to delist the affected aircraft from PNCF and include it in the AOC operations specification.”
NCAA reiterated its warning to the travelling public against patronising any airline charter operator lacking a valid Air Operator Certificate issued by the NCAA for charter operations services.
Recalling that in 2023, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, had ordered the cessation of private jets’ commercial use, the NCAA reaffirmed its stance against such acts.
In March 2024, the NCAA had issued a stern warning to PNCF holders against engaging in the carriage of passengers, cargo or mail for hire and reward.
NCAA urged legitimate players in the aviation industry to promptly report the activities of unscrupulous elements to the authorities for necessary action.
