The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has placed 11 domestic operators on an updated “No-pay-no-service” list over outstanding financial obligations owed to the regulator.
An internal memo dated May 22, 2026, directed all NCAA directorates to withhold services from the affected airlines pending financial clearance from the Directorate of Finance and Accounts (DFA).
The memo, signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr Olufemi Odukoya, was circulated across the authority’s operational departments and regional offices.
Airlines named in 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.
This action has already raised concerns within the aviation industry over the broader implications of unresolved financial obligations in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The directive is also coming barely a month after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a 30 per cent reduction in charges owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies.
President Tinubu approved the reduction on April 23, 2026, in a move aimed at easing mounting financial pressure within the sector.
However, one month later, the government is yet to implement the incentive for the affected airlines.
Director-General of the NCAA, Capt Chris Najomo, while explaining the delay a few weeks ago, said: “No, the 30% discount has not been implemented. It is a process. A process that must be followed by all the agencies and airlines. You must call all the airlines together and say take 30% off and pay us our money.”
