Private aircraft owners have expressed worry over the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) order to airline operators to move their aircraft from the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, to other airports.
Private jet owners who lack an aircraft hangar to park their aircraft are those who are impacted by the directive.
In a circular sent to operators yesterday, FAAN had highlighted that the instruction was given in light of the presidential inauguration, which called for enhanced security precautions.
“This is to inform you of a need to temporarily relocate your aircraft to alternate airports due to the upcoming presidential inauguration slated for May 29, 2023.”
The statement with reference number FAAN/ABJ/NAIA /RGM/NC/AM/1000/VOl-1 signed by the regional general manager (North Central), Airport, Kabir Mohammed, said “the presidential inauguration is a high security event, and in order to ensure the safety and security of parties involved, it has become necessary to temporarily relocate all aircraft parked at the GAT to alternate airports.
“To this end, you are kindly requested to relocate your aircraft on or before May 22, 2023,” FAAN said.
The General Aviation Terminal (GAT) solely hosts private jet operators, according to research, and not commercial airlines.
However, when contacted, Kingsley Ezenwa and Banji Ola, respectively, representatives for Dana and Arik Air, said that their airlines are not operating from GAT.
Additionally, SkyJet Aviation’s managing director, David Ayodele, also disclosed that the business has a private hangar for its aircraft. They claimed that the directive only applied to private jet operators, not them.
Ada Peter
