The Nigerian government, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has suspended regulatory and administrative services to 11 domestic airlines, including Air Peace and Ibom Air, over unpaid statutory charges owed to the aviation regulator.
The directive, which was contained in an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, ordered all NCAA directorates and regional offices to immediately enforce a “No-Pay-No-Service” policy against the affected carriers until they settle their outstanding debts or agree on repayment arrangements.
Other airlines listed in the directive include Arik Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Max Air, NG Eagle, ValueJet, Overland Airways, Rano Air, Umza Air and Caverton Helicopters.
According to reports, the affected airlines allegedly failed to remit the mandatory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge collected on behalf of the NCAA. These statutory fees are critical to funding aviation safety oversight, personnel training, regulatory operations, and infrastructure monitoring within Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The memo was signed by the NCAA’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, and copied to the Director-General of Civil Aviation and other senior officials within the regulatory agency. The document instructed all NCAA departments not to provide any service to the listed airlines without obtaining financial clearance from the finance department.
Industry stakeholders say the decision could significantly disrupt airline operations if the affected carriers fail to quickly resolve their financial obligations. Regulatory services provided by the NCAA include licensing approvals, operational clearances, safety inspections, certifications, and other administrative support essential for airline operations.
While the NCAA has not announced a total suspension of flights, aviation analysts warn that the inability to access regulatory services could lead to operational delays, disruptions in scheduling, and uncertainty for passengers across the country.
The development comes at a challenging time for Nigeria’s aviation sector, which has continued to struggle with rising operational costs, foreign exchange pressures, aviation fuel price increases, and infrastructure concerns. Several domestic airlines have repeatedly raised concerns over the harsh business environment and the financial burden of operating in the country.
In recent years, airlines such as Air Peace and Ibom Air have faced operational disruptions linked to fuel costs, labour strikes, and weather-related safety concerns.
Passengers and travel operators are now closely monitoring the situation, fearing possible fare increases and service disruptions if the impasse between the NCAA and the airlines escalates further.
As of the time of filing this report, the affected airlines had not issued official statements regarding the NCAA directive or the extent of the debts owed to the regulator.
The NCAA’s latest enforcement move highlights growing concerns about financial compliance within Nigeria’s aviation industry and underscores the regulator’s determination to enforce accountability among domestic operators.
Observers say the outcome of the standoff could shape future regulatory enforcement policies and influence investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
