Considering wide complain by operators, federal government has extended the deadline given to airlines operating in the country to automate their remittance/payment systems to aviation agencies to Feb. 28
In a statement issued by Mr Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the agency said the extension was at coming from a passionate appeal by industry stakeholders.
He said “The automation deadline has been extended to February ending at the instance of the operators,” adding that “As a responsible and responsive agency, their request was acceded to by the authority”.
It would be recalled that the government had, on Dec. 6, 2016, given the airlines Jan. 1 2017 as deadline for the automation of their remittances to the agencies.
The agency made it clear that “in as much as it is not the plan of the authority to regulate any airline out of existence, NCAA would no longer be prepared to tolerate non-remittance of its dues again as such a conducted would be viewed seriously.”
Adurogboye noted in the statement that the move was to put an end to airlines’ indebtedness to aviation agencies arising from the 5 per cent Ticket Sales Charge/Cargo Sales Charge (TSC/CSC).
Continuing, NCAA said the automation system was being introduced to ensure transparency, accurate billing and prompt payment of charges due from the airlines to the NCAA.
“This is in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) 2015, Vol.2, Part 18.12.5.
“The NCARs 2015 states thus that all domestic and international airlines operating in Nigeria should 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 48 hours after each flight”.
“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.
“It follows therefore that the airlines are by this directive requested to join the platform on or before Jan. 1, 2017 or face appropriate sanctions in event of failure,” the statement had said.
