NCAA Blacklists Air Peace, Ibom Air, 9 Others Over Unpaid Debts

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has placed 11 domestic airlines, including major carriers Air Peace and Ibom Air, on a restrictive “No Pay, No Service” list, effectively denying them regulatory services until their outstanding debts are cleared.

In an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, and signed by the NCAA’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, the aviation regulator directed all departments and regional offices to withhold services from the affected airlines until they receive financial clearance from the Finance Department.

The blacklisted airlines are: Air Peace Limited, Ibom Air Limited, Arik Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines, NG Eagle, Max Air Limited, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, Rano Air, ValueJet, and Umza Air.

This latest action highlights the deepening financial crisis facing Nigeria’s domestic aviation industry. Airlines have been grappling with soaring operational costs, foreign exchange volatility, skyrocketing aviation fuel prices, and rising maintenance expenses, leading to severe liquidity challenges for many operators.

The NCAA’s move comes amid growing public frustration over poor service delivery, frequent flight delays, cancellations, and refund disputes.

In April 2026, the regulator publicly warned airlines against abandoning passengers during disruptions and failing to process refunds promptly.

NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, had earlier stated that while operators face genuine difficulties, passengers should not bear the brunt of poor communication and lack of accountability.

The blacklisting is expected to further strain the affected airlines’ operations and could lead to additional service disruptions for travelers in the coming days.

This development occurs as the federal government continues efforts to stabilize and attract investment into the country’s aviation sector.