A veteran with years of experience revealed to NigerianFLIGHTDECK that negligence and complicity enabled illegal charter flights. Despite economic losses, past authorities felt powerless to stop them. He concluded that for each illegal charter, the losses for the authorities would be substantial.
PNCF / AOC
The source admitted difficulties in distinguishing between aircraft operating under Air Operators Certificates (AOC) and Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF). However, steps could be taken to make it difficult for PNCF holders to undertake charter flights. All aircraft operating under AOC are required to pay a 5% NCAA tax and 5% VAT. PNCF holders undertaking charters were not paying these, resulting in revenue loss for the NCAA and the VAT office thus making it impossible for legal operators to compete.
Aircraft operating under PNCF and AOC have different requirements. The source expressed doubt if most PNCF operators could comply and maintain AOC operational standards. It would also be doubtful if a serious AOC holder would want PNCF operators under their wings.
Illegal Charters
This matter was brought to the attention of former Ministers and NCAA DGs, but the complaint was shrugged off. “Their explanation was that it would be difficult to prove if the flight was private or commercial. Over the years, the NCAA threatened illegal charter operators to desist or be penalized. One or two were penalized, but for most, illegal charters continued. It would be wrong today for the authorities to claim they were unaware PNCF holders were carrying out charter flights.” Read Also: NCAA Grounds Ten Private Jet Operators for Non-Compliance with Recertification Requirements
“Authorities started enforcing the requirement to submit a full passenger manifest along with the flight plan. This lasted a few weeks. Thereafter, passenger manifests with one name of a lead passenger (normally a junior staff member among the group) +3 others (no names) were accepted. In the event of a query, the operator could claim that the aircraft owner was included in the +3 and therefore a private flight, when in fact, the owner was not on board and the flight was chartered.”
Arrival of Business Jets in Numbers
Around 2014, investment in private jets became common, with owners unaware of the financial burdens associated with aircraft ownership. The primary motivation for acquiring private jets during this period was often the desire for the elevated status and prestige it symbolized. While some jet owners had no intention of operating charter services, persuasive crew frequently convinced them of potential revenue and cost recovery benefits.
His exposition further supported the ministerial committee’s claims that high-net-worth individuals and foreign-registered aircraft were involved in the infraction. Read Also: High net worth individuals, Foreign registered aircraft complicit in illegal charters
Foreign-Owned and Registered Aircraft in Nigeria
“Around the same time, operators from South Africa and Europe began positioning their aircraft in Lagos and Abuja. Subsequently, this led to a decline in business for local charter operators.
It was widely acknowledged that certain high-net-worth individuals and politicians favored chartering planes from foreign operators. Consequently, this preference was rooted in the assumption that foreign crew members would maintain greater discretion regarding the charterer’s activities. At that time, there were strong rumors of significant amounts of money leaving the country. “Our source maintained,
Charter Business Clients
Very few private business owners charter an aircraft, as most own private aircraft. Therefore, almost 70 to 80% of charter clients were ministers, state governors, politicians, NNPC, and CBN who would not know or understand if the charter operator was legal or not.
