The Minister of Aviation and Space Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned that the rise in illegal charter flights has posed a major threat to Nigeria’s security. He spoke at his office in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of the Ministerial Working Group on Illegal Private Charter Flights and Related Issues, saying these illegal activities not only deprive the government of a vital source of revenue but also lack of government regulation.
These private jet flights have also created one of the breeding grounds for criminal activities such as money laundering and drug trafficking. He revealed that operators of private non-commercial flights (PNCF) are exploiting loopholes in the system to operate illegal charter flights under the guise of legitimate flights.
According to him, this often involves collaboration with Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holders who collect fees and turn a blind eye to illegal flights. Keyamo further said disturbing reports his ministry had received suggested some pilots had not attended mandatory simulator training for years and may have been flying with fraudulently obtained licenses. He said these individuals pose serious security risks, especially when they operate aircraft under the guise of legitimate PNCF flights.
“We have identified issues in the aviation industry that must be immediately addressed. In my many press appearances, I have enumerated some of these issues and the steps we have already taken to address them. One of these issues is the reason why we are gathered here today. Through a series of disturbing reports, it has become my awareness that illegal charter flights are rife in the aviation industry and are undermining the efforts of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other regulatory agencies.”
“These illegal activities have not only caused huge economic losses to the Federal Government but also raised safety concerns as the operations of private aircraft owners are largely uncontrolled and unregulated. This has also led to these private aircraft being used for other illegal activities.”
Last week, the National Security Advisor wrote to us, warning us about the sharp increase in money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities using private aircraft in the country. It appears that Private Non-Commercial Aircraft (PNCF) operators are becoming more brazen and are continuing their illegal operations with the assistance of Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders who charge fees and register their illegal charter flights with the AOC.”
“We have also received alarming reports that some crew members have not undergone the mandatory simulator training for almost three years and are flying with fraudulently obtained renewal licenses. Many of these individuals are flying PNCF-registered aircraft but are operating illegal charter flights with no penalties,” he said.
The Minister recognized the seriousness of the situation and spoke of his determination to tackle the issue head-on by setting up a task force to address the issue. He said the special committee would carry out an inventory of all PNCF and AOC holders to determine why the practice of illegal charter flights by PNCF holders continues in the country despite regulatory restrictions, and obtain all professional licenses of pilots and flight attendants in the country and their genuineness and validity notices.
The task force will also recommend to the Minister further steps to be taken by the regulator, appropriate sanctions to be imposed by the regulator for non-payment, and other measures to further monitor the operation and activities of civil aircraft in Nigeria. The members of the Special Committee are drawn from the aviation industry and include Captain Ado Sanusi as Chairman, Captain Roland Liayi as Vice Chairman, Captain Theresa Babaoye as Director-General, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Special Assistant to the President on National Security, Captain Daniel Quansah as Member, Member, and Captain. Patrick Ogunlowo, Member; Obafemi Bayomo, Member. The Special Committee is expected to operate for three months unless circumstances require an extension.
