The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all its directorates and regional offices to suspend regulatory and administrative services to 11 domestic airlines over outstanding debts owed to the agency.
The directive was contained in an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, signed by the NCAA’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya. According to the memo, affected airlines will no longer receive services from the regulator until they settle their outstanding obligations or agree on repayment terms.
Airlines listed in the sanction include Air Peace Limited, Ibom Air Limited, Arik Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines, Max Air, NG Eagle, Umza Air, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, Rano Air and ValueJet.
The debts are linked to unpaid five per cent Ticket Sales Charges and Cargo Sales Charges collected by airlines on behalf of the NCAA to support aviation safety oversight, economic regulation and personnel training within the industry.
Under the directive, affected carriers risk disruptions in regulatory support services, including renewals of Air Operator Certificates (AOC), Airline Operating Permits and other operational approvals. Industry stakeholders have warned that the development could affect flight operations and passenger services if unresolved.
However, amid growing concerns in the aviation sector, the NCAA later announced a temporary suspension of the enforcement of the “No-Pay-No-Service” directive following consultations with stakeholders over rising operational costs, particularly aviation fuel prices
