Aviation
Nigeria may have 500 private jets by 2020
ABUJA: The Federal Government has said that Nigerians will acquire about 420 private jets within the space of seven years from 2013 to 2020, which will add to the 80 currently in operation.
This came just as international experts said that Nigeria and China topped the list of countries currently buying private jets, following recession in North America and Europe.
The Federal Government, in the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2013, unveiled in Abuja on Friday, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, said the general aviation or private jet sector currently had about 80 planes with a potential to grow to 500 by 2020.
The Federal Government said the NCAP 2013 was produced after a detailed diagnostic review of the aviation sector in collaboration with the World Bank.
Industry experts have estimated that the additional 420 private jets will cost not less than $15.3bn (N2.4tn). They said the price of the various types of private jets being currently flown by Nigerians in the country ranged from $8m to $65m.
Consequently, taking the average price of $36.5m and multiplying it by the government’s projection of 420 private jets, about $15.3bn is expected to be spent by wealthy Nigerians in acquiring the private jets by 2020.
Part VII of the 73-page NCAP 2013 read in part, “General aviation, which currently has approximately 80 aircraft with the potential of growing to 500 by 2020, could emerge as a key driver of regional connectivity and economic development.”
Some of the luxury private jets owned by pastors, politicians and business moguls in the country include Bombardier Global Express XRS, Bombardier Global 5000, Gulfstream 450 & 550, Embraer Legacy and Dassault Falcon 900, among others. Each costs about $60m.
Other brands of private jets in Nigeria are Hawker Siddley 125-500, Hawker 900XP, Cessna Citation Jet, Cessna Sovereign and Bombardier Challenger 604 &605.
In order to grow the general aviation sector to accommodate the projected number of private jets, the Federal Government, in the policy, said it would give serious consideration to the development of disused or low traffic secondary airports for general aviation.
In line with Part VII of the NCAP 2013, the government said the private jet sub-sector had “largely been ignored and has operated in the shadow of commercial airlines as there has been no dedicated policy, regulatory framework, infrastructure or services to support it.
“There has been limited consideration for general aviation (private jets) requirements in air traffic management planning and in the development of dedicated infrastructure at airports other than Lagos and Abuja.”
The policy stated that the development of low traffic secondary airports for general aviation would provide “seedbed opportunities” for aviation in areas where it had not yet been significant such as Akure, Makurdi, Minna, Yola and Jalingo, among others.
It said state governments would be encouraged to partner the Federal Government to become active in reviving smaller airports, particularly for air taxi operations for business, tourism and cargo (Free Trade Zones), which could benefit domestic and regional air transport, as well as economic development.
Part VII of the policy adds, “Access to the airspace will be equitable to facilitate the effective operation of GA instead of the current practice where GA traffic is controlled in the same airspace as commercial jets.
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will adopt a clean-sheet approach to introduce and structure a new regulatory framework that will allow Nigeria to develop a safe, modern and efficient GA sector.”
The policy states that government’s new airport master plan will seek ways to increase capacity and flexibility for general aviation, including ensuring adequate parking and hangar space, allowing Maintenance Repair and Overhaul and Fixed Based Operation activities at the airports.
The government, according to the policy, will also develop air traffic control procedures capable of accommodating increased small aircraft movement.
It adds, “Government’s objective is to extend the aviation network beyond scheduled operations between cities and intends to introduce appropriate incentives for domestic operators operating aircraft seating less than 80 passengers.
“Government will also encourage the establishment of flying schools as training ground for pilots, aviation technicians and air traffic controller to alleviate the shortage of skilled personnel in the aviation industry.
“GA could also be used as training ground for future airline pilots and employees in other skilled occupations, thereby making an important contribution to the skills requirements of the wider aviation industry. The sheer resource requirements to address these issues may necessitate the establishment of a dedicated division within the NCAA or even a restructuring of the authority.”
However, industry expert have said that some aspects of the NCAP 2013 are capable of thwarting the growth potential of the sector.
These include the aspect that stops private jets owners from carrying on board friends and business associates.
Also, the aspect that requires private jets operators to disclose the identities of all passengers on board a local flight was also severely criticised by industry experts.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced stringent measures against pilots and crew members who work for multiple airlines concurrently, a practice it describes as a serious safety violation.
In a letter dated November 6, 2024, Acting Director-General, Chris Nojomo warned that pilots operating for more than one airline without specific safety protocols pose significant risks to Nigeria’s aviation sector.
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The directive, titled “Prohibition of Ad-Hoc Flight Operators for Multiple Airlines,” noted that NCAA surveillance reports revealed multiple cases of unauthorized cross-airline work by flight crews, which the agency now plans to address.
According to the NCAA, simulator and proficiency checks endorsed on a pilot’s license are valid only for the specific airline and training program under which they were issued.
The letter stated, “With effect from the date of issuance of this directive, all operators and holders of pilot licenses are informed that this action will be treated as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.”
The NCAA’s new policy, effective November 11, 2024, warns that violators will face strict enforcement actions. Moving forward, simulator renewals will also be filed directly with individual operators, further tightening the agency’s oversight.
In a bold step to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position in Nigeria’s aviation industry, Governor Umo Eno announced the addition of two new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to the fleet of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, on Friday.
The two aircraft, registered as 5N-CED and 5N-CEE, mark a milestone in the state’s commitment to strategic investment, with the governor stressing that the acquisitions were fully funded by state resources without loans from financial institutions.
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At a welcoming ceremony attended by local officials and residents, Governor Eno emphasized his administration’s mission to drive revenue-generating ventures for Akwa Ibom rather than relying on debt.
He called the move a step toward breaking the cycle of government investments that only serve to pay off loans, vowing that the state’s funds would go towards projects that bring returns to the people.
The governor challenged Ibom Air to turn a profit by 2025, stating that the airline’s management should ensure routes in and out of Uyo remain dependable to prioritize the needs of Akwa Ibom travelers.
“As long as I remain governor, we will continue to use state funds for the benefit of all, not for private gain,” he said, noting that his administration aims to ensure that public investments deliver real value to the state.
Governor Eno also provided updates on several ambitious state projects, including an 18-story commercial complex underway in Lagos and an upcoming 4-star hotel in Abuja, both designed to generate revenue for Akwa Ibom.
Plans for an international market in Ikot Ekpene and the phased opening of a new terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport were also announced, with the airport terminal set for partial operation by December and full activation in early 2025.
Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, commended Eno’s financial management, highlighting that the administration has avoided seeking loans over the past 18 months despite launching significant development projects.
Ibom Air’s Chairman, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob, expressed appreciation for the state’s investment in the airline, which has seen its fleet grow to nine aircraft.
Jacob credited the governor’s support with enabling Ibom Air to boost flight capacity, meeting demand on popular routes such as Uyo-Lagos-Abuja.
Captain Mfon Udom, CEO of Ibom Air, stated that the expanded fleet will improve efficiency and allow the airline to scale up its operations in time for the Christmas travel season.
Udom also noted that the airline anticipates the delivery of nine additional Airbus planes, which will further strengthen Ibom Air’s market presence.
Traditional leaders, including HRM Edidem Ita Edet Okokon III of Okobo Local Government Area, lauded the governor’s leadership, pledging continued support from the traditional institutions.
Anie Essienette, Group Manager for Marketing and Communications at Ibom Air, noted that demand for the airline’s services has surged nationwide, with the new CRJ900 aircraft helping meet this increasing need while the airline awaits further fleet expansion.
Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo is of the view that there’s no cause for alarm over the approval of a private airstrip for a religious organisation, which attracted the attention of the House of Representatives.
He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday morning to shed light on the subject, and explained that it could be a great source of revenue for Federal Government.
Keyamo asserted that the issue was raised by an honourable member at plenary, out of ignorance, but was “unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into.”
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Keyamo expressed confidence that by the time his Ministry was done enlightening them, “they will be satisfied”.
He added that “the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.”
Keyamo wrote, “I think this is not correct. The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the license of any private airstrip.
“I think what happened is that someone moved a motion in that regard and it was unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into it.
“Whilst the intention of the Hon. Member who moved it is very patriotic, it was based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector.
“By the time we explain to them how private air strips work and the processes they undergo by our agencies before the final approval, they will be satisfied.
“The responsibility of the owners of private air strips is just to build the runway and terminal building. But after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Federal Government through NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria. An MOU is usually signed with NAMA in this regard before the airstrip is approved for operations.
“It is NAMA that provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in ALL AIRPORTS and AIRSTRIPS IN NIGERIA. And the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.
“No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, eg, where it is taking off from and where it intends to land.
“And I have recently directed that all aircraft coming into the country MUST first land at our international airports where they would be properly processed and checked before they make their local flights into whatever airport or airstrip they intend to go. So, it is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY impossible for any private airstrip owner to just jump on an aircraft and fly in and out of the country through that facility. The Federal Government does not permit that. You will not be cleared for take off or landing without prior request and authorisation.
“I thank the Member for his patriotism, but I wish he contacted us first to explain to him before rushing to move such a motion.
“I attach herewith for public consumption the NAMA Act that gives exclusive control of the Nigerian airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA.”
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