NCAA suspends services to Air Peace, Ibom Air, nine others over debts

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a directive to suspend services to 11 domestic airlines due to outstanding statutory charges owed to the regulator. The decision, detailed in an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, places these airlines on an updated "No-Pay-No-Service" list, mandating that all NCAA departments withhold regulatory and administrative services until debts are cleared or repayment plans are agreed upon.

At the core of the dispute are the five percent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge. These are funds collected by the airlines as agents for the NCAA, intended to support safety oversight, personnel training, and economic regulation within the aviation sector. The memo, signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, was circulated to regional offices and copied to senior aviation officials, including the Director-General of Civil Aviation.

The airlines facing suspension of services include prominent carriers such as Air Peace Limited, Ibom Air Limited, Arik Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines, Umza Air, NG Eagle, Max Air Limited, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, Rano Air, and ValueJet. The directive explicitly states that "no directorate should render any service to the above airline without financial clearance from the director of finance and account."

This move by the NCAA raises concerns among both airline operators and passengers regarding potential operational interruptions and broader implications for the industry. Airlines affected by the directive risk immediate cessation of regulatory support, which could lead to significant disruptions in their operations. The NCAA's enforcement of its financial regulations underscores the importance of timely remittance of collected charges for the effective functioning and oversight of the aviation sector.