Nigeria’s aviation sector is facing a fresh crisis as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially placed 11 domestic airlines on an updated “No-Pay-No-Service” list, directing all its departments to withhold regulatory and administrative services from the affected operators over outstanding financial debts owed to the agency.
The directive, contained in an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, ordered all NCAA departments to withhold regulatory and administrative services from the affected operators until they clear their outstanding debts or agree on repayment plans. At the centre of the dispute are the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge — funds collected by airlines on behalf of the NCAA 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, and circulated across the authority’s regional offices, stated that Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, personally instructed that no directorate should render any service to the listed airlines without financial clearance from the Directorate of Finance and Accounts.
The 11 affected airlines are: Air Peace Limited, Ibom Air Limited, Arik Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines, Umza Air, NG Eagle Airline, Max Air Limited, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, Rano Air, and ValueJet.
Aviation consultant Adeola Fadairo described the NCAA’s action as not only justified but long overdue, stating: “What makes this situation particularly disturbing is that these funds do not belong to the airlines in the first place.”
The development comes amid mounting financial pressure on domestic carriers struggling with high operational costs, foreign exchange instability, rising maintenance expenses, and escalating aviation fuel prices — raising serious concerns about wider operational disruptions for Nigerian air travellers.
None of the affected airlines had officially responded as of the time of filing this report.
All rights reserved ©2026 CDA News Nigeria.
Contact: info@cdanews.ng | 348 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Your privacy is protected. Data never shared without consent.
