REVEALED: Why New Aviation Charges for Private Jets Imposed

REVEALED: Why New Aviation Charges for Private Jets ImposedThe newly introduced general aviation charges in Nigeria are only for non-scheduled commercial operators and replace all previous charges.

The aviation authorities also clarified that by “non-scheduled commercial operators”, they mean private jet owners who use their planes for commercial purposes. Therefore, those how operate their jets for private business are exempted from these charges.

Yakubu Dati, Coordinating General Manager, Corporate Communications, for Nigerian aviation agencies, said the new charges “replace all previous charges such as the landing and parking fees, the en route navigational charges and the passenger service charge”.

The official made this confirmation on September 30, 2013, Monday.

According to him, Nigerian registered aircraft in this category would pay $3,000 or about N480,000 per flight, while aircraft with foreign registration would pay $4,000 or about N640,000 per flight.

“In addition to the charges they replace, the new charges cover for newly introduced niche services for the category of clients, such as the use of the new General Aviation Terminal (GAT) facilities, including luxury VIP lounges, pilot lounges and crew rest rooms, as well as refreshments,” Yakubu Dati said.

The spokesman said the introduction of the new charges is one of the key focus areas of the Federal Ministry of Aviation in its on-going industry transformation efforts. Dati added this explanation became necessary because of the controversy raised by the introduction of the charges as many believed that they are blanked charges on all private jet operations.

The aviation authorities also revealed the latest list of 26 airlines in Nigeria who own an Airline Operator Certificate (AOC):

Aero Contractors Company Nigeria Limited

Allied Air Limited

Arik Air Limited

Associated Aviation Limited

Atlantic Aviation Limited

Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited

Caverton Helicopters

Chanchangi Airlines Limited

Dana Airlines

Dornier Aviation Nigeria AIEP Limited

First Nation Airways (SS) Limited

Hak Air Limited

IRS Airlines Limited

Jed Air

Kabo Airlines Limited

King Airlines and Travel Limited

Max Air Limited

Med View Airlines Nigeria Limited

Odengene Air Shuttle Services Limited

Overland Airways Limited

Pan African Airlines Nigeria

Skybird Air

Skyjet Aviation Services Limited

Skypower Express Airways Nigeria Limited

Topbrass Aviation Limited

West Link Airways.