He explained that the rule has reduced the number of available aircraft, limiting flight operations to certain airports, which has made some of those airports economically unviable.

He said, “There is a need to change that rule. It has increased the number of illegal flights among private jet owners because the rule is targeted at scheduled flights, and that has reduced the number of aircraft that are available. That has also reduced flight operations into some of those airports we have turned unviable.”

Ohunayo said many old aircraft in service have undergone significant modernisation, yet they are still barred from entering Nigeria.

“Most people (airlines) have gone to upgrade what they have, added new features to make these aircraft more modern. But because we have a stringent rule on that 22-year age limit, such aircraft, regardless of modernisation, cannot enter the country.

“We have airlines, especially from the United States flying aircraft into Nigeria that are more than 22 years old. But our agency says we cannot bring them in, reducing options for operators. And when you reduce their options, you increase their costs, which in turn raises fares.”

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