COVID-19 lock-down violations: NCAA enforces ban on private jets from charter services

SEQUEL to some abuses that transpired during the lockdown, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has banned the age long use of private jets for charter flight services in a move it says will check the abuse of private jets in the country and regularize their operations.

This ban, which many charter operators have been clamoring for came into effect yesterday (Monday).

The NCAA  in a circular on June 24, 2020 and addressed to the Directorate of Operations and Training (DOT), Directorate of Airworthiness Standards (DAWS) and the Directorate of Air Transport Regulations (DATR) of the NCAA, its Director-General, Capt Musa Nuhu, directed the application of the new regulatory regime.  Read also: Naira Marley fiasco: What vulnerabilities were exposed in aviation approvals, processes?

It introduced new measures for immediate implementation which mandates that aircraft duly registered as privately owned should not be used for commercial charter, something that has been happening to the ire of airlines registered as charter operators.

The circular read that private aircraft, known as Operations Specification Part G, which have PNCF would, henceforth, be stopped from operating for hire and reward.

“All aircraft listed under OPS SPECS PART G (commercial wet lease) that is either in non-compliance or in violation of any part thereof of NCAR (Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation) Part 9.2.3.4(b) shall be grounded with effect from Monday 29, June, 2020,” the circular said. Read Also: Interstate movement ban: FG suspends Executive Jet Services for flouting directives, flying Naira Marley

Nuhu also directed that: “DATR shall provide a comprehensive list, details of all PNCF holders and all aircraft listed under their permit; all PNCF holders shall be reminded of the terms and conditions of the permit, especially the non-commercial nature. Any violation will attract penalty under Nig.CARs, including revocation.”

He also directed the concerned directorates in the agency to develop procedures and guidance to ensure all NCAA staff complied with NCARs in processing all applications and submit a single comprehensive report to him on the implementation of items mentioned above, measures taken and the reasons why these violations were allowed and not resolved in the first instance.