NCAA, experts clash over 5% air ticket charge

A dispute is intensifying within Nigeria's aviation sector over the distribution of revenue from a 5% charge on air tickets and cargo. Stakeholders are pushing for a revision of the current sharing formula, asserting that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) requires a greater portion of these funds. The agency needs the revenue to invest in and upgrade the nation's air navigation infrastructure.

The debate centers on the Ticket Sales Charge/Cargo Sales Charge (TSC/CSC), a levy applied to all air travel and cargo. While the exact breakdown of revenue distribution is contentious, the core issue is ensuring NAMA has adequate resources to maintain and improve safety and efficiency in the airspace. Aviation experts and industry players believe that without sufficient investment, the infrastructure risks falling behind international standards.

This call for a review underscores a persistent challenge in managing aviation finances in the country. The allocation of revenue from such charges often becomes a point of friction, with different agencies and stakeholders vying for a larger share to fund their respective operations and development plans. The outcome of this dispute could impact NAMA's ability to modernize its systems and potentially affect the overall cost and quality of air travel in Nigeria.