By The Federal Government has announced a major crackdown on illegal private jet operations in Nigeria, introducing stricter regulations to ensure compliance with aviation laws.
Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending the unauthorized use of private jets for commercial purposes.
Investigations revealed that 18% of private jets in Nigeria operate illegally as commercial charters, causing an estimated ₦120 billion revenue loss over the past decade. Many jet owners exploit regulatory loopholes by registering under Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) licenses while secretly running commercial operations.
Keyamo warned that these illegal flights pose serious security risks due to unchecked passengers and unmonitored cargo. He emphasized that the government is tightening regulations to close these loopholes and improve oversight in the aviation sector.
In another development, Keyamo announced that Nigeria has restored diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), leading to the resumption of Emirates Airlines flights between both countries. He credited the breakthrough to a new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) signed last year.
As part of the deal, Emirates has entered into a codeshare agreement with Nigerian airline Air Peace, allowing seamless travel between Nigeria and Dubai. Passengers can now book a single ticket from Calabar to Dubai, connecting through Lagos, improving convenience and boosting Nigeria’s aviation sector.
