Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended regulatory services to 11 domestic airlines over outstanding financial obligations owed to the agency.
Gatekeepers News reports that the directive was contained in an internal memo dated May 22 and signed by Olufemi Odukoya, the NCAA’s director of finance and accounts.
The memo instructed all directorates and regional offices to place the affected operators on a “no-pay-no-service” arrangement pending financial clearance.
Airlines affected by the action include Air Peace, Ibom Air, Arik Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Max Air, Rano Air, NG Eagle, ValueJet, Overland Airways, Umza Air, and Caverton Helicopters.
According to the memo, no department of the NCAA is expected to render services to the listed airlines until they clear their debts or agree on repayment terms with the regulator. The debts are linked mainly to unpaid five percent Ticket Sales Charges and Cargo Sales Charges collected by airlines on behalf of the NCAA.
The directive was reportedly approved by the director-general of civil aviation, Chris Najomo, and copied to senior officials of the authority across regional offices.
The development comes amid growing financial pressure in Nigeria’s aviation sector caused by high aviation fuel costs, foreign exchange challenges, rising operational expenses, and aircraft maintenance costs.
The move also follows earlier concerns raised by aviation ground handlers, who recently threatened to withdraw services over unpaid airline debts.
