AON Urges FG to Amend Aviation Act for Direct Fee Collection

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has called on the Federal Government to urgently amend the Civil Aviation Act to empower the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to collect appropriate fees directly from passengers, effective June 1, 2026. AON insists that the current regulatory framework, which requires airlines to collect these charges, is outdated and inconsistent with international aviation best practices.

They dismissed claims of indebtedness to the NCAA, stating that domestic airlines have fully paid for regulatory services rendered. AON's statement highlighted that the NCAA's invoicing practices are clear and that airlines are not revenue-generating agencies.

The operators are facing financial pressure due to rising aviation fuel costs and global geopolitical tensions, which have made it increasingly difficult to sustain operations. They also revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a 30% concession as an interim measure while broader requests are considered.