The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commended aviation stakeholders and airline operators for their cooperation in the outgoing year.
However, the authority expressed dismay over the huge indebtedness of airlines, urging them to put modalities in place to liquidate their indebtedness.
The aviation regulatory authority had been in a running battle over non remittance of the five per cent ticket sale charge (TSC) running into over six billion naira.
Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi had last week said the federal government would make efforts to recover the debt being owed aviation authorities by the airlines.
But in a statement on Sunday, the NCAA restated that the non-remittance of this debt is affecting the regulatory activities of the agency.
The statement signed by the General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Sam Adurogboye said, “The Authority however noticed with serious concern the huge debts of airlines as a result of failure to settle promptly invoices as at when due.
“This poses serious financial challenges to the various Parastatals that benefit from the 5% Ticket, Charter and Cargo Sales Charges.
“Consequently, the Authority would be pleased to see that the Airlines put plans in place towards the full liquidation of all outstanding indebtedness. The settlement of those debts will go a long way in assisting Authority fulfil its statutory obligations to the Country and the world at large”.
The authority said it “is fully committed to strict enforcement of compliance to safety Regulations in order to engender safe operations at all times”.
It expressed gratitude to Almighty God “for a safe operation in the outgoing year”, adding, “We look forward to a safe and secured operation in the coming years. Safety is a collective responsibility and we appreciate the cooperation from all stake holders, particularly the airlines towards the safe operations in the outgoing year”.
