Air Peace, Ibom Air, Others Hit as NCAA Suspends Services Over Debts

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has directed the suspension of services to 11 domestic airlines over unpaid statutory charges.

The directive affects several major operators, including Air Peace, Ibom Air, Arik Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Max Air, Overland Airways and others.

According to an internal memo issued by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, all NCAA departments have been instructed to withhold regulatory and administrative services from the affected airlines.

The suspension will remain in place until the airlines settle their outstanding debts or reach formal repayment agreements with the aviation regulator.

The NCAA explained that the decision is tied to unpaid statutory obligations, particularly the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge collected by airlines on behalf of the agency.

These funds are meant to support aviation safety oversight, personnel training, and economic regulation within Nigeria’s air transport sector.

The memo further instructed all directorates of the authority to comply strictly with the directive, warning that no services should be rendered to the affected airlines without clearance from the Directorate of Finance and Accounts.

The document was circulated across regional offices and copied to senior officials, including the Director-General of Civil Aviation.

Airlines listed in the directive include 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.

In the memo, the agency stressed that compliance with financial obligations is necessary for continued regulatory engagement, stating that services will remain suspended until proper clearance is obtained.

The development marks a fresh enforcement move by the NCAA in its ongoing effort to recover outstanding revenues and ensure compliance within the aviation industry.