The Ministerial Taskforce on Illegal Charter Flight Operations in the country has submitted its report with the to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN. The report claimed that 90% of illegal charter activities occur at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.
The implication of the revelation is that many commercial airlines as well as the government are losing revenue because many high net worth individuals deploy their private jets for hire.
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) does not allow Private jet operators like high net-worth individuals and big companies to operate commercial flights as their permit is for non-commercial flight (PCNF).
However, many of them flout the dictate of the permit by giving out their aircraft for ‘hire and reward’.
The Taskforce submitted its report amidst revelation that 90% of illegal charter activities occur at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in Abuja.
While receiving the report, the minister emphasized that the lack of proper regulation has fueled illegal operations, posing a serious national security threat.
He assured that the report would not be “swept under the rug”, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing aviation safety and strengthening regulatory oversight.
The minister expressed gratitude to the taskforce team and supporting agencies, including the NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
