Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority don order all im departments to stop service for 11 domestic airlines because of unpaid money wey dem owe di regulator. Di directive come for internal memo wey dem write on 22 May, wey say make all NCAA directorates and regional offices put di affected operators on no-pay-no-service
until dem get financial clearance from Directorate of Finance and Accounts.
Di memo wey di Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya sign, dem copy am to Director-General of Civil Aviation and oda senior officials. Di airlines wey di directive affect include Air Peace, Ibom Air, Arik Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Max Air, Rano Air, NG Eagle, ValueJet, Overland Airways, Umza Air and Caverton Helicopters.
Di directive come at a time wey domestic airlines dey face plenty financial pressure from rising aviation fuel cost, forex wahala, and high operating expenses across di sector. Under dis arrangement, di affected airlines fit no access some regulatory services until dem settle dia obligations.
Di move don raise concern inside di industry about wetin fit happen to airline operations if dis situation continue. NCAA dey rely on statutory charges and service-related payments from airlines to fund inspections, oversight responsibilities and oda regulatory activities.
For recent months, many domestic airlines don experience operational disruptions wey connect to rising costs, aircraft maintenance problems and limited fleet availability. PREMIUM TIMES earlier report say some airlines like Rano Air adjust schedules and suspend routes because of di sharp rise for Jet A1 aviation fuel price wey dey pressure operators.
Di latest directive further show di financial wahala for Nigeria aviation sector, as airlines dey try to balance rising operational costs with di fact say passengers get less money to spend.
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