The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has directed its departments to suspend services to 11 domestic airlines over unpaid statutory charges owed to the regulator.
The directive, contained in an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, instructed all NCAA directorates to withhold regulatory and administrative services from the affected operators until they settle their debts or agree on repayment arrangements.
At the centre of the dispute are the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge, which airlines collect on behalf of the NCAA to fund safety oversight, personnel training and economic regulation in the aviation industry.
The memo also instructed departments to deny services to the affected carriers pending financial clearance from the Directorate of Finance and Accounts.
The Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, signed the document, which the authority circulated to regional offices and senior officials, including the Director-General of Civil Aviation.
The airlines affected 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.
According to the memo, the Director-General directed that no department should provide services to the listed airlines without approval from the finance department.
The development has raised concerns within the aviation sector over possible operational disruptions and delays for passengers.