FAAN urges compliance as some private jet owners disregard inauguration relocation directive
Despite the directives issued by the federal government for the relocation of all private jets at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, ahead of the upcoming government inauguration on May 29, a recent investigation has revealed that some private jets are still present at the airport.
The deadline for the relocation order was set for Monday, May 22, 2023.
In a circular dated May 8, 2023, addressed to aircraft operators and signed by the regional manager of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Kabir Mohammed, the federal government instructed the temporary relocation of the jets.
The circular, numbered FAAN/ABJ/NAIA/RGM/NC/AM/1000/VOl-1, stated, “This is to inform you of the need to temporarily relocate your aircraft to alternate airports due to the upcoming Presidential Inauguration slated for May 29, 2023.”
“The presidential inauguration is a high-security event, and in order to ensure the safety and security of all parties involved, it has become necessary to temporarily relocate all aircraft parked at the GAT to alternate airports. Therefore, you are kindly requested to relocate your aircraft on or before May 22, 2023.”
READ ALSO: FAAN directs immediate removal of private jets from Abuja Airport
However, our investigation has revealed that while some owners have complied and relocated their aircraft, others have failed to do so.
An anonymous airport worker, who spoke to newsmen, confirmed this information but added that some of the jets were unable to be moved due to technical reasons.
Earlier, Capt Roland Iyayi, a former managing director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and the CEO of Top Brass Aviation, expressed concerns about the airworthiness of most of the aircraft parked at the GAT terminal in Abuja.
He stated that relocating these aircraft could prove difficult due to their current non-serviceable condition.
He said, “Most of the aircraft parked there cannot fly, so if FAAN is asking for the aircraft to be moved, it suggests that they know something we don’t. I don’t think it’s possible; most of the aircraft parked there are not entirely serviceable. If they are not serviceable, how do you move them?”
When contacted, Kayode Adeoluwa, spokesperson for the FAAN at Abuja airport, emphasized that since the relocation order was a directive from the federal government, it must be strictly adhered to.
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