Nigeria Aviation: FG Gives Airlines Up to Jan. 1, 2017 to Automate Payment of Charges

…No plan to regulate airlines out of existence-NCAA

In order to discontinue the prolonged occurrence of indebtedness to aviation agencies in Nigeria by airlines operators, the Federal Government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA has given directive to operators to automate their remittances by January 1, 2017.

According to NCAA’s General Manager, Public Relations Samuel Adurogboye,  “The Federal Government (FG) in a bid to put an end to Airlines indebtedness to Aviation Agencies arising from the 5% Ticket Sales Charge/Cargo Sales Charge(TSC/CSC) has given January 1, 2017 as the deadline for Airlines operating in the country to automate their remittance / payment systems forthwith.”

Adurogboye explained that the automation system is being introduced to ensure transparency, accurate billing and prompt payments of charges due  from the Airlines to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations(NCARs) 2015, Vol.2, Part 18.12.5.

NCARs 2015 states thus; “all domestic and international airlines operating in Nigeria shall forward to the Authority through an electronic platform provided by the Authority, all relevant documents such as flown coupons, passenger or cargo manifest, air way bills, load sheets, clients’ service invoices and other documents necessary for accurate billing within forty – eight (48) hours after each flight”.

“It is pertinent to point out that this directive has the full backing of the Federal Government for full implementation and strict compliance.

 It is now being handed down after due consultations with the Airlines and other stakeholders on the desirability of the operators to join the automation platform for the collection of 5% TSC/CSC on the airlines operations.

It follows therefore that the Airlines are by this directive requested to join the platform on or before 1^st of January 2017 or face appropriate sanctions in event of failure.”-said Adurogboye

In addition, the operators are  further mandated to work with First Bank of Nigeria FBN / AVITECH (FG approved NCAA Consultant on the automation)  for the purpose of immediate implementation.

Assuring operators that the feat is not to force them out of business, NCAA said, “In as much as it is not the plan of the Authority to regulate any Airline out of existence, NCAA would no longer be prepared to tolerate non remittance of its dues again as such a conducted would be viewed seriously.”