The Federal Government has issued a strong warning regarding the possible closure of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following reports of its use in money laundering, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
The GAT serves private jet owners and aircraft charter services, but concerns over illegal transactions and regulatory loopholes have prompted a renewed government crackdown on illicit aviation activities.
During the presentation of a report by the Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Private Charter Operations, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, expressed deep concern over the rampant misuse of private jets and charter flights.
He noted that some aircraft owners obtain licenses under the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) but then exploit these permits for illegal commercial operations. This regulatory loophole, according to Keyamo, has fueled criminal activities and financial losses in the aviation sector.
The Task Force, chaired by Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, revealed that weaknesses in aviation oversight have led to a staggering ₦120 billion revenue loss for the federal government over the past decade.
Presenting the Task Force’s report in Abuja, Ado Sanusi outlined key concerns, including regulatory weaknesses allowing private aircraft to operate as illegal charter services, security gaps that make the GAT vulnerable to criminal activities and lack of oversight in monitoring private jet operations.
The report also referenced an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) security audit, which identified similar vulnerabilities. Sanusi stressed that urgent reforms are needed to dismantle the GAT’s reputation as a hub for unauthorized charter operations, which account for nearly 90% of illegal flights.
Responding to the report, Festus Keyamo condemned the lack of proper enforcement, calling it a serious threat to national security.
He reassured industry stakeholders that the government is fully committed to tightening regulations and improving aviation security.
Keyamo, who previously served as a prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), vowed to tackle these illegal operations head-on, stating “When I assumed office, some advised me to ignore this issue, arguing that regulating PNCF holders is nearly impossible since they are often considered ‘untouchables.’ But my background, both in civil society and as an EFCC prosecutor, has trained me to touch the untouchable. That is my duty.”
With the federal government intensifying its regulatory enforcement efforts, stakeholders in the private aviation sector will need to comply with stricter oversight measures.
If the recommended reforms are implemented, they could lead to a complete reorganization of the GAT to enhance monitoring and security, stronger penalties for illegal charter operators found misusing PNCF licenses and improved revenue generation by curbing financial leakages in the aviation industry.
As the government cracks down on regulatory violations, the future of the GAT and private charter services in Nigeria will likely be reshaped by a more structured and compliance-driven aviation sector.
