The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced the suspension of ten private jet operators, citing as the reason their alleged failure to commence recertification as directed to control the illegal use of private aircraft for commercial gain. This follows repeated warnings from the regulator to private jet owners that they risk having their licences revoked if they attempt to engage in commercial passenger charter flights without having the appropriate air transport licence (ATL).
In a statement on July 4, the NCAA's public affairs and consumer protection director, Michael Achimugu, said Nigerian civil aviation regulations forbid Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) holders from using their aircraft for the carriage of passengers, cargo or mail for hire or rewards (commercial operation or charter services). "As a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation which should have been concluded by April 19, 2024."
The NCAA has now suspended the PNCFs of the following operators:
- Azikel Air 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;
- SkyBird Air (KYC, Lagos); and
- Ezuma Jets Ltd.
The NCAA also issued a warning to the public that it is illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes. "The NCAA will not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations." NCAA officials have been deployed to general aviation terminals and private wings of Nigerian airports to monitor the activities of the private permit holders.
The suspension is impacting some established Nigerian charter operators. Founded in 2012, Azikel Air received its ATL and air operator's certificate (AOC) in 2014/2015, operating with two helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft, including Gulfstream IV and Gulfstream G200, according to ch-aviation research.
Founded in 2010 in Abuja, Worldwide Sky Path provides VIP charted services throughout Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, according to its website. It also provides aviation management services, the hiring and training of flight crews and ground staff, supply of fixed wing and rotary aircraft, and cargo and delivery services.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, SkyBird Air is a charter operator with three Do328-300s, but the website cannot be reached.
Ezuma Jets Ltd advertises private charters with Hawker 800 business jets, while Mattini Air advertises itself as "a leading provider of on-demand air charter and private jet solutions". Aero Lead was incorporated in 2012 and advertises itself as an "aircraft handling and private jet operation", but its website is non-functioning. Matrix Energy Group is an oil marketing and trading company in Nigeria established in 2004. Real estate company Marrietta Management Services is no longer active, according to the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission.
ch-aviation has reached out to all of the companies for comment.
