The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA has warned all Airline Operators in Nigeria to desist from arbitrarily increasing miscellaneous charges on ticket payment content without the Authority’s approval.
Against this backdrop, the Regulatory Authority has directed that all airlines should file any proposed add-on charges, surcharges or other miscellaneous charges with the Regulatory Authority with immediate effect.
A statement signed by the general manager public relations of NCAA,Sam Adurogboye stated that the NCAA has also directed all airlines to file any proposed add-on charges, surcharges or other miscellaneous charges with the Regulatory Authority.
Adurogboye explained that ” in the procedure of filing same, all justifiable reasons for increment must be adduced in accordance with Parts 18.14.3.1 and 18.14.3.2.(i-iii) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) which relates to the approval of charges on all flights within Nigeria or originating from Nigeria to international routes.
As contained in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, (Nig.CARs) 18.14.3.1.”
According to him, ”In requesting for approval of any add-on charges or surcharge, an air carrier is required to provide justifiable basis for the proposed increment with a consideration of all relevant factors including a new linear rationalisation for the specific aggregated costs sought to be recovered and consumer interests.”
“In addition, 18.14.3.2 says, “when approving any application for an add-on charge or surcharge related to fuel, the Authority shall: Take into account changes in prices of aviation fuel, the relevant hedging policies of the air carrier, the justifications provided by the air carrier and other relevant factors; ensure that the revenue so generated would not exceed the additional fuel costs borne by the airline operators during the corresponding period; and approve on a short-term basis, not exceeding a period of two (2) months in each instance”, Adurogboye said in the statement.
The NCAA notified all operators that any add-on charge, surcharge or any other miscellaneous added on passenger tickets without regulatory approval should cease forthwith, adding that any further breach would attract the appropriate sanctions.
