A Committee on Illegal Chartered Operations, established by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has exposed regulatory weaknesses, security vulnerabilities, and revenue losses linked to illegal private charter activities in Nigeria.
The seven-member Task Force, led by Captain Ado Sanusi, submitted its final report to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja, highlighting serious loopholes in the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) system and inadequate oversight in the sector.
Findings and Recommendations
The committee’s findings revealed that illegal private charter operations not only pose risks to aviation safety but also create unfair competition for legitimate operators. Among the key issues identified were:
- Regulatory weaknesses and poor enforcement.
- Loopholes in the PNCF system, allowing private jet owners to conduct unauthorized commercial flights.
- Inadequate oversight, making it difficult to track and regulate operations.
- Security threats, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and fugitive transfers.
- Significant revenue losses for the government.
To tackle these issues, the Task Force recommended:
- Strengthening regulatory oversight to curb illegal operations.
- Enhancing security measures to prevent criminal activities.
- Improving compliance with aviation laws to ensure transparency.
- Aligning private charter operations with international standards.
- Shutting down the General Aviation Terminal in Abuja, which has reportedly become a hub for illicit activities.
Minister Keyamo Vows Tougher Action
Responding to the report, Minister Festus Keyamo assured that the government would crack down on illegal charter operations and address the long-standing regulatory lapses affecting the aviation sector.
He emphasized that many private jet owners abuse the PNCF system, engaging in unauthorized commercial flights and illegal transactions.
“This practice has been on for many years before I became Minister, but I thought there was a need to confront it headlong. When you cannot track them, it leads to money laundering, drug trafficking, illegal entry and exits into the country, and all kinds of illegal activities.”
Keyamo reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to safeguarding the aviation industry and ensuring compliance with aviation laws. He also commended the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for supporting the committee’s work and promised to implement the recommendations in full.
