Registration policy: Private jet owners defy FG

Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah
| credits: File copy

Owners and operators of foreign-registered private jets in the country are not ready to de-register them to enable their planes become Nigeria-registered in line with the new National Civil Aviation Policy 2013 unveiled by the Federal Government in May, investigations by our correspondent have shown.

On May 3, 2013, the government unveiled the policy, called NCAP, which among other things, states that no foreign-registered private jets will be allowed to fly continuously in the country for more than 15 days.

The policy says foreign-registered private jets on special mission in Nigeria will be allowed to stay for only 60 days, following a special approval from the office of the minister.

Part VII of the NCAP 2013, which deals with general aviation (private jets), reads in part, “Retention of foreign registered aircraft in Nigeria will not be permitted beyond a period of 15 days from date of entry. However, the Minister of Aviation may, in certain circumstances, grant the extension of this period for up to 60 days.”

However, investigations by our correspondent showed that scores of foreign-registered private jets are still flying across the country’s airspace and overseas, thereby defying the policy, over four months after its introduction.

An official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak on the matter, said “All the foreign-registered private jets are still here in the country, flying everywhere; flying the length and breadth of our airspace, and overseas. The point is that these foreign-registered private jet owners and operators are still contending the policy with the Federal Government and the Ministry of Aviation. They said the policy has not been taken to the National Assembly, and that it was introduced when the NCAA did not have a substantive director-general.

“They also said some of the requirements are not line in with global aviation regulations. So they are still contending it. Until they resolve these issues with the government, I don’t think anybody will comply.”

Over 70 per cent of private jets in the country are carrying foreign registration, a former Managing Director of Aerocontractors Airlines, Capt. Akin George, has said.

The development was expected to affect some pastors, business moguls, governors and politicians, whose private jets are carrying registration of countries like the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa, among others.

But government officials have said the NCAP was aimed at stopping foreign companies, which fly their private jets into the country from doing chartered business after coming into the country under guise of private visit.

Some state government have their private jets registered in foreign countries.

Meanwhile, the new policy, NCAP, also bars individuals with private jets from carrying their friends and business associates on board the aircraft, stating that only members of their families are allowed aboard.

The Ministry of Aviation however said this aspect was not meant to stop private jet owners from carrying their friends and associates.

The policy also states that companies with private jets are permitted to carry only their employees or members of the Boards of Directors.

The NCAP also directs that the identities of all passengers onboard any private jet must be made known through a manifest before air traffic control clearance will be sought.

Industry experts, however, opposed this aspect, saying it was purely against global regulations and practice.