There is an appreciable increase in the number of private jets and charter aircraft currently operating in Nigeria as a result of ongoing election campaigns and depleting fleet size for commercial airlines.
BusinessDay’s checks show that Nigeria’s eight commercial airlines which altogether had over 70 aircraft on their fleet are currently struggling with about 30 to 35 aircraft, thereby causing passenger glut.
This has driven passengers, especially those travelling in groups, to charter operators.
A source close to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) who craved anonymity told BusinessDay that the number of private jets and charter aircraft has increased from about 90 to over 160 in the last three years, equivalent to a 77.7 percent increase.
Data provided to BusinessDay by NCAA show that Nigerian registered charter operators with Air Operating Certificates rose from 22 in 2016 to 28 in 2018.
Harold Okwa, managing director of Jetseta, a private jet rental and helicopter charter flight company, told BusinessDay that Jetseta has experienced an increase in its charter services from the fourth quarter of 2018, adding that its business jets increased from 50 in 2016 to 90 currently.
Okwa, who tied the increase to recent election campaign rallies and growing demand in commercial operations, explained that slots for commercial airlines most times do not fit in well with the campaign rallies, and so various parties have to make alternative arrangements to ensure that the rallies can go on as planned.
“Another reason for the rising preference for charter jets is the increased demand in commercial operations. This has created a lot of pressure for the operators and resulted in delays and cancellations. As a result, passengers who are ‘cash rich and time poor’ are forced to make other arrangements to ensure their plans do not suffer,” he explained.
Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, in a space of one year acquired six 50-seater Embraer 145 jets which it currently uses for both charter and commercial operations. The airline also owns one Dornier private jet, specifically for charter operations.
A recent visit by BusinessDay to ExecuJet Africa situated at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport showed a display of various charter and private jets numbering above 50. ExecuJet Africa offers maintenance, charter and aircraft management services.
BusinessDay’s checks show that flying a business jet which shuttles the Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt routes costs about N70,000 (about $200) a seat, while on a commercial airline, it costs between N25,000 and N35,000.
John Ojikutu, member of Aviation Round Table (ART), an aviation industry think tank group, said as the tempo of electioneering campaigns increase, chartered flights are expected to increase in numbers too, possibly higher than they had been in the last two years.
Ojikutu, who is also chief executive officer of Centurion Securities, noted that private aircraft operators not licensed for charter are most likely to cash in on the electioneering campaign season to make quick money at the expense of the licensed operators and NCAA.
A source at NCAA, however, told BusinessDay that since the campaigns commenced, private jet owners not licensed to carry out commercial operations have continued to violate NCAA laws by engaging in unauthorised services to make quick money.
NCAA on Monday issued a stern warning to operators, stating that any operator caught engaging in such unauthorised services will have its Air Operator Certificate suspended or revoked.
Sam Adurogboye, general manager, public relations at NCAA, explained that holders of Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Airline Operating Permit (AOP) with valid AOC are the only authorised operators to carry out charter operations.
This, he said, is in line with the NCAA’s statutory responsibilities of safeguarding the interest of the general public and that of the investors in the aviation sector.
Adurogboye noted that any members of the public transacting business with any unauthorised operators would be doing so at a high risk as such operations may not have valid insurance cover.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015, Part 18.2.3.1 states, “No person shall use any aircraft in Nigeria for hire and reward in public transport category to provide non-scheduled or charter air service unless such a person holds an ATL or Airline Operating Permit (AOP) issued by the Authority.”
IFEOMA OKEKE
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