May 29: Private jet owners worried over FAAN relocation notice

The directive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to airline operators to relocate their aircraft from the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja to alternate airports has raised concerns among private jet owners.

Those affected by the directive are private owners who do not have aircraft hangar to park their jets.

FAAN had, in a circular issued to operators, yesterday, noted that the directive was in view of the presidential inauguration which required high security earrangements.

“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.

LEADERSHIP findings showed that commercial airlines do not operate from the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), but only private jet operators.

However, when contacted, the spokesmen of Dana and Arik Air, Kingsley Ezenwa and Banji Ola, respectively, said their airlines do not operate from the GAT.

Also, the managing director of SkyJet Aviation, David Ayodele, told LEADERSHIP that the company has its private hangar for its aircraft.

They, however, said the directive didn’t affect them but private jet operators.