NCAA places Air Peace, Arik Air, Ibom Air, 8 others on ‘no-pay, no-service’ over debts

*The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority places 11 domestic airline operators on ‘no-pay, no-service’, as the country’s aviation regulator plans to meet with the airlines Wednesday over alleged passenger conduct and refunds

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

For alleged outstanding financial obligations, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has placed Air Peace, Arik Air, Ibom Air, and 8 other domestic airline operators on “no-pay, no-service” in the aviation industry.

ConsumerConnect gathered the latest development followed a directive from the Director-General of NCAA, according to an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, signed by Olufemi Odukoya, Director of Finance and Accounts.

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The affected airline operators are 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.

The agency instructed all its Directorates to withhold services from the affected airlines, pending clearance of their outstanding financial obligations.

The memories stated: “The DGCA has directed that no Directorates should render any service to the above airlines without financial clearance from the Director of Finance & Accounts.”

Earlier, the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) had issued a final three-day ultimatum to airlines over outstanding debts, according to report.

It also warned that services would be withdrawn from May 6, if payments are not made.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu April 23 this year, had approved a 30 percent discount on debts owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies for them to shore up operations for enhanced sustainability of the vital sector of the Nigerian economy.

Speaking on the level of indebtedness in the industry, Barr. Festus Keyamo, Honourable Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, reportedly disclosed debts the affected airlines still owe include parking charges for Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), navigational charges to Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and “other fees owed by the airlines”.