The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed its departments and regional offices to suspend certain services to 11 domestic airlines over unpaid financial obligations owed to the regulator.The directive was issued through an internal memo dated 22 May 2026 and signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya.

The memo instructed all NCAA units to implement a 'no-pay-no-service' policy against the affected airlines until they settle their outstanding charges and obtain financial clearance from the Directorate of Finance and Accounts.

The airlines listed in the directive include Air Peace, Ibom Air, Arik Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Max Air, Rano Air, NG Eagle, ValueJet, Overland Airways, Umza Air, and Caverton Helicopters.

These operators are among Nigeria’s major domestic carriers and helicopter service providers, meaning the directive could have wide operational implications if not quickly resolved.

According to the NCAA, the suspended services are tied to statutory regulatory functions funded through charges paid by airlines, which support safety inspections, oversight activities, and aviation monitoring.The authority noted that persistent non-payment has affected its operations and enforcement capacity.

The move comes at a time when Nigeria’s aviation sector is already under pressure due to high aviation fuel costs, foreign exchange volatility, and rising maintenance expenses.Industry concerns have been raised about possible disruptions to flight operations if the financial dispute continues.Some airlines are already struggling with route adjustments and operational constraints due to economic pressures.

The directive highlights ongoing tensions between regulators and operators in the aviation sector as both sides navigate financial sustainability and service delivery challenges.