By Damilare Adeleye
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) of Mattini Airline Services Limited, following the crash-landing of its private jet with 10 persons onboard in Ibadan.
The agency said the suspension will subsist until conclusion is drawn that the conditions of the PNCF were complied with by the private jet charter providers.
Mr Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of NCAA, made this known in a statement released on Friday via NCAA’s X handle.
Achimugu stated that this was in line with Sec 32 (4) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, adding: “NCAA has further initiated a safety and economic audit of all private jet operations in Nigeria. NCAA wishes to assure the travelling public of its utmost commitment to safety and the entrenchment of global best practices.”
The statement reads in part: “NCAA is aware of the runway excursion involving a Challenger CL 601 aircraft, operated by Mattini Airline Services Limited, with registration marks N580KR at Ibadan Airport on 26th January, 2024.
“Mattini Airline Services Limited holds a valid Permit for Non-Commercial Flight, PNCF. In line with statutory provisions, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has launched an investigation into the occurrence
“While the NSIB is conducting the safety investigation, the NCAA has initiated an economic inquiry into the operation of the aircraft viz-a-viz the terms and conditions of the PNCF as detailed in its Annexure.”