By Abidemi Samuel
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A recent investigation by the Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed a shocking truth about the country’s aviation sector. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had raised concerns over the misuse of private jets for illegal commercial activities. A task force was set up to investigate, and their findings have confirmed the minister’s fears. According to the task force’s preliminary report, foreign-registered private jets are the primary culprits in violating civil aviation regulations for charter flights.
This is a significant issue, as these aircraft have been able to evade scrutiny by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) due to their foreign registration.The investigation has also revealed a surge in private business jets operating in Nigeria, from 44 in 2005 to 157 currently, representing a 357% hike. This increase has led to a rise in illegal charter operations, with not just small-time operators but also high-net-worth individuals using their private jets for commercial purposes.Roland Iyayi, spokesperson for the task force, explained the severity of the issue:
“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.
“The task force has also uncovered a pattern of illegal charter operations involving passenger manifest manipulation and regulatory non-compliance. These activities have resulted in substantial revenue leakage for the government, although the exact financial loss cannot be revealed.This trend is not unique to Nigeria, as a 2020 report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted the growing concern of illegal charter operations in Africa, including Nigeria.
Furthermore, a study published in the Journal of Air Transport Management found that corruption and lack of effective regulation are major contributors to illegal charter operations in developing countries.Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors and leader of the task force, emphasized the need for urgent action: “We need to do on-the-spot checks to make sure that we report it to the authorities to stop these illegal charters, and we are doing that and would continue to do that.
“The government has mandated the task force to take several measures to address the issue, including inventorying all Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) holders, preventing illegal charter operations, investigating the persistence of illegal charter activities, verifying the authenticity and validity of all pilot and crew licenses, and recommending sanctions for violators.The NCAA has reported an increase in private jet registrations in recent years, with many of these aircraft being used for commercial purposes without proper authorization.
This highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent illegal charter operations.As the investigation continues, it is clear that the Nigerian government is taking steps to address the widespread illegal charter operations in the aviation sector. However, the question remains: what will it take to completely eradicate this menace and ensure that the country’s aviation sector is safe and regulated?