Nigeria aviation regulator suspends services to 11 airlines over unpaid charges

|By Babatunji Wusu

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered the suspension of regulatory and administrative services to 11 domestic airlines over alleged unpaid statutory charges.

In an internal memo issued by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, the regulator directed all its directorates to halt services to the affected carriers until they settle outstanding debts or agree on repayment plans.

The NCAA said the airlines had been placed on an updated “No-Pay-No-Service” list over unpaid five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge — funds collected by operators on behalf of the regulator to support safety oversight, training, and economic regulation in the aviation sector.

The directive instructed all departments to withhold approvals, certifications, and other regulatory services pending financial clearance from the finance directorate.

The memo, circulated to regional offices and copied to the Director-General of Civil Aviation and senior officials, warned that no services should be rendered without explicit clearance.

The affected airlines include Air Peace, Ibom Air, Arik Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Max Air, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, ValueJet, Rano Air, NG Eagle, and Umza Air.

The NCAA said the action is part of efforts to enforce compliance and recover outstanding obligations within the aviation industry.