New Aviation Policy: Private Jet Is No Kabu-Kabu, Says Presidency In Reaction To Criticisms

amaechi_planeThe Presidency has reacted to criticisms that trailed the recently-unveiled aviation policy, especially the one that says owners of private jets can only carry members of their families aboard such planes.

Speaking through the Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, in apparent response to the position of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, which described the policy as another hallmark of emerging despotism, noted that the ACN was merely engaging in its usual mischief, adding that the aviation ministry would respond appropriately.

According to Abati, “private jet was no kabu-kabu and should be used strictly for its purpose. The policy the statement by the ACN appears to be referring to deals essentially with the fact that in the aviation sector, the authorities are insisting on international best practice.

“In this regards, what is this international best practice all about? One, that if you own a private jet, it must strictly be a private jet. The second point is that the government has not said you cannot carry anybody you like in your aircraft. That is not what the policy says. This is clearly a case of misrepresentation.

“What the policy says is that whoever you carry in your private jet, you must submit a manifest,you must declare a manifest. It is important to note that you cannot say because it is your private jet, you will carry people in it and you will not declare a manifest. It is standard international practice that for air travel, a manifest must be made available.

“The third point has to do with insurance. Why all of this is important is that when you engage in air travel and you give people a ride or you are using it for private purposes, there must also be insurance. The aircraft itself must be insured and there must also be insurance for the people who are travelling. You cannot violate and say it is a private jet. Rules are rules.”

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