The federal government has given airlines operating in the country up to January 1, 2017 to automate their remittances and payment systems to aviation agencies.
Spokesman for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Sam Adurogboye said in a statement issued yesterday in Lagos that the directive was aimed at putting an end to airlines’ indebtedness to aviation agencies arising from the 5 per cent ticket sales charge/cargo sales charge (TSC/CSC).
“The automation system is being introduced to ensure transparency, accurate billing and prompt payments of charges due from the Airlines to the NCAA in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations(NCARs) 2015, Vol.2, Part 18.12.5,” he said.
He said NCARs 2015 stipulates that “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”.
He said the 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 per cent TSC/CSC on the airlines operations,” he added.
He said any airline that fails to join the platform on or before the expiration of the ultimatum will face appropriate sanctions.
For the purpose of immediate implementation, he said airline operators were being mandated to work with First Bank of Nigeria/AVITECH which, according to him, is the federal government’s approved NCAA consultant on the automation.
Adurogboye warned that the agency would no longer to tolerate non-remittance of its dues “as such conduct would be viewed seriously.”
