Nigeria May Have 500 Private Jets By 2020
08.05.2013, 9:16 Local
The Federal Government has said that Nigerians will acquire
about 420 private jets within the space of seven years from
2013 to 2020, which will add to the 80 currently in operation.
This came just as international experts said that Nigeria and
China topped the list of countries currently buying private jets,
following recession in North America and Europe.
The Federal Government, in the National Civil Aviation Policy,
2013, unveiled in Abuja on Friday, a copy of which was obtained
by our correspondent, said the general aviation or private jet
sector currently had about 80 planes with a potential to grow to
500 by 2020.
The Federal Government said the NCAP 2013 was produced after
a detailed diagnostic review of the aviation sector in collaboration
with the World Bank.
Industry experts have estimated that the additional 420 private
jets will cost not less than $15.3bn (N2.4tn). They said the price
of the various types of private jets being currently flown by
Nigerians in the country ranged from $8m to $65m.
Consequently, taking the average price of $36.5m and multiplying
it by the government's projection of 420 private jets, about
$15.3bn is expected to be spent by wealthy Nigerians in
acquiring the private jets by 2020.
Part VII of the 73-page NCAP 2013 read in part, "General aviation,
which currently has approximately 80 aircraft with the potential of
growing to 500 by 2020, could emerge as a key driver of regional
connectivity and economic development."
Some of the luxury private jets owned by pastors, politicians and
business moguls in the country include Bombardier Global
Express XRS, Bombardier Global 5000, Gulfstream 450 & 550,
Embraer Legacy and Dassault Falcon 900, among others. Each
costs about $60m.
Other brands of private jets in Nigeria are Hawker Siddley
125-500, Hawker 900XP, Cessna Citation Jet, Cessna Sovereign
and Bombardier Challenger 604 &605.
In order to grow the general aviation sector to accommodate the
projected number of private jets, the Federal Government, in the
policy, said it would give serious consideration to the
development of disused or low traffic secondary airports for
general aviation.
In line with Part VII of the NCAP 2013, the government said the
private jet sub-sector had "largely been ignored and has
operated in the shadow of commercial airlines as there has been
no dedicated policy, regulatory framework, infrastructure or
services to support it.
"There has been limited consideration for general aviation
(private jets) requirements in air traffic management planning
and in the development of dedicated infrastructure at airports
other than Lagos and Abuja."
The policy stated that the development of low traffic secondary
airports for general aviation would provide "seedbed
opportunities" for aviation in areas where it had not yet been
significant such as Akure, Makurdi, Minna, Yola and Jalingo,
among others.
It said state governments would be encouraged to partner the
Federal Government to become active in reviving smaller airports,
particularly for air taxi operations for business, tourism and
cargo (Free Trade Zones), which could benefit domestic and
regional air transport, as well as economic development.
Part VII of the policy adds, "Access to the airspace will be
equitable to facilitate the effective operation of GA instead of the
current practice where GA traffic is controlled in the same
airspace as commercial jets.
"The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will adopt a clean-sheet
approach to introduce and structure a new regulatory framework
that will allow Nigeria to develop a safe, modern and efficient GA
sector."
The policy states that government's new airport master plan will
seek ways to increase capacity and flexibility for general aviation,
including ensuring adequate parking and hangar space, allowing
Maintenance Repair and Overhaul and Fixed Based Operation
activities at the airports.
The government, according to the policy, will also develop air
traffic control procedures capable of accommodating increased
small aircraft movement.
It adds, "Government's objective is to extend the aviation network
beyond scheduled operations between cities and intends to
introduce appropriate incentives for domestic operators
operating aircraft seating less than 80 passengers.
"Government will also encourage the establishment of flying
schools as training ground for pilots, aviation technicians and air
traffic controller to alleviate the shortage of skilled personnel in
the aviation industry.
"GA could also be used as training ground for future airline pilots
and employees in other skilled occupations, thereby making an
important contribution to the skills requirements of the wider
aviation industry. The sheer resource requirements to address
these issues may necessitate the establishment of a dedicated
division within the NCAA or even a restructuring of the authority."
However, industry expert have said that some aspects of the
NCAP 2013 are capable of thwarting the growth potential of the
sector.
These include the aspect that stops private jets owners from
carrying on board friends and business associates.
Also, the aspect that requires private jets operators to disclose
the identities of all passengers on board a local flight was also
severely criticised by industry experts.

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This is indeed a great achievement from The Federal Republic of Nigeria!

This time next year, go slow go catch aeroplane

that na air congestion

This won't benefit the country until private jets are subjected to a 50% luxury tax.