The Federal Government has lost over N120 billion in revenue in the past decade due to illegal charter operations, regulatory loopholes, and weak enforcement by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
This is according to a report by the Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Private Charter.
In June 2024, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, established a ministerial task force to address illegal private charter operations with terms of reference including conducting an inventory of all private non-commercial flight holders and air operator certificate holders.
The decision followed widespread complaints from legitimate commercial air charter operators regarding money laundering and illegal drug smuggling, as well as security reports from the country’s intelligence agencies.
The task force was then given a three-month deadline to carryout it’s assignment and present a report to the ministry.
The report cited security breaches, lack of interagency cooperation, and outdated policies as some of the challenges stifling the sector’s growth.
Some of the major names listed in the report include Arik Air Ltd, BUA International Limited, Dominion Air Limited, Executive Jets Services, Max Air Ltd, Rivers State Government, Julius Berger Nig. Ltd, and Nestoil Plc.
“Over the past decade, Nigeria lost an estimated N120bn in statutory revenue from the sector due to regulatory loopholes,” the report noted.
The taskforce recommended the closure and restructuring of the General Aviation Terminal in Abuja to address critical security lapses as one of the measures to curb illegal operations and restore order in the sector.
It further recommended a repeal of the 22-year aircraft age ban, which has been criticised as arbitrary and restrictive to industry growth and also emphasised the need to strengthen oversight by the NCAA to ensure all operators comply fully with aviation regulations.
It further stated that to enhance accountability, a licensing framework for air charter brokers woulf be introduced to bring more transparency to the sector.
“By implementing these measures, Nigeria can restore regulatory integrity, enhance safety, and position its aviation sector for long-term sustainability and global competitiveness”, the report read in part.
