The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has temporarily suspended its “No Pay, No Service” directive against domestic airlines with outstanding statutory charges.
The NCAA said the suspension followed consultations with stakeholders and a review of the difficult operating conditions facing airlines, particularly the rising cost of aviation fuel.
On Sunday, the regulator had directed its offices nationwide to stop providing regulatory services to 11 airlines over unpaid debts. The affected carriers included Air Peace, Ibom Air, Arik Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Max Air, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, Rano Air, ValueJet, and Umza Air.
In a later statement, NCAA Director-General Capt. Chris Najomo said the suspension does not cancel or waive the debts. He explained that the move aims to prevent further instability in the sector while repayment arrangements are discussed with operators.
Najomo noted that President Bola Tinubu had earlier approved a 30 percent discount on outstanding debts owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies. He added that airlines remain responsible for settling their full statutory charges and that the NCAA will engage each operator on structured repayment plans.
The regulator also defended the six percent Ticket and Cargo Sales Charge, saying it is a statutory deduction collected on behalf of aviation agencies and not part of airline revenue.
The NCAA said it operates on a cost recovery basis and relies on these charges since it does not receive direct funding from the federal government for daily operations.
