Maha Christopher
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has directed all its departments to suspend services to 11 domestic airlines over unpaid statutory charges owed to the regulator.
According to The Punch, the directive was contained in an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, which instructed NCAA directorates to place the affected operators on a “No Pay No Service” list until they settle their debts or agree on repayment arrangements.
The dispute centres on the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge collected by airlines on behalf of the NCAA to support aviation safety oversight, personnel training and economic regulation within the sector.
The memo directed all departments to withhold regulatory and administrative services from the affected airlines pending financial clearance from the Directorate of Finance and Accounts.
The document was signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, and circulated across the authority’s regional offices while also copied to the Director General of Civil Aviation and other senior officials.
Airlines affected by the directive include Air Peace, Ibom Air, Arik Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Umza Air, NG Eagle, Max Air, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, Rano Air and ValueJet.
“The DGCA has directed that no directorate should render any service to the above airline without financial clearance from the director of finance and account,” the memo stated.
The directive raises concerns over possible operational disruptions, as affected airlines could face delays in accessing essential regulatory approvals and support services from the aviation authority.
