TheCable

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it will clamp down on all private jets operating as charter operators in the country.

Chris Najomo, acting director-general of the organisation made this known while unveiling his agency’s projects for 2024 in Lagos on Friday.

The NCAA DG said private jet operators must seek commercial licence if they wish to operate as a commercial or charter operator, expressing worry over the illegal actions of these operators in the nation.

Highlighting the regulatory framework, Najomo said only holders of air transport licence (ATL) and airline operating permit (AOP) with a valid air operator certificate (AOC) are authorised to conduct charter operations.

He said NCAA will increase surveillance for jets not supposed to operate as commercial aircraft. 

According to the acting DG, the NCAA will “do some sting operations” to ensure that operators who are not “ready to comply to go and get an air operator certificate (AOC)” cease operations. 

The development comes two months after a private jet that departed the federal capital territory (FCT) in November 2023, crash-landed just before it landed at the airport in Ibadan, Oyo state. 

The National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had indicted the operator, saying Flints Aero Services Limited was issued with a permit for non-commercial flight (PNCF).