Chapter says proposed reduction in NCAA’s TSC allocation could weaken aviation safety oversight and regulatory capacity….
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) chapter of the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) has distanced itself from recent comments by the association’s national leadership regarding the proposed review of the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) sharing formula.
The chapter said it was neither consulted nor involved in the decision to issue the statement credited to the national leadership, insisting that the position expressed does not represent the views of its members.
In a communiqué signed by its Chairman, Agunloye Fredrick, on Thursday, the NCAA chapter said it was important for all members across aviation agencies to be consulted before taking a public position on issues affecting the industry.
“The attention of the NCAA Chapter of the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) has been drawn to recent media publications credited to the National President of NAAE regarding the proposed review of the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) sharing formula,” the communiqué stated.
“While we acknowledge the right of every professional body to advocate for the welfare and operational sustainability of its members and institutions, we wish to state clearly that the position presented in the publication does not represent the views of the NCAA Chapter of NAAE,” it added.
The chapter said the absence of consultation before the statement was released made it necessary to publicly clarify its position.
According to the engineers, a national association with members working across different aviation institutions should adopt a broad consultation process before making declarations on major policy issues.
“At no time was our opinion sought on the proposed review of the Ticket Sales Charge sharing formula,” the communiqué stated.
The chapter therefore announced that it was dissociating itself from the earlier publication, adding that the statement should not be regarded as the collective position of NAAE members across the aviation sector.
The engineers also defended the importance of the NCAA’s current share of the Ticket Sales Charge, describing the levy as a statutory source of funding that supports aviation safety, regulation and oversight.
They explained that the TSC is collected from airline passengers and distributed among aviation agencies based on their respective responsibilities in maintaining a safe and efficient aviation system.
According to the chapter, the NCAA relies significantly on its allocation because, unlike some other aviation agencies, it does not operate airports, provide air navigation services or generate substantial commercial revenue.
The engineers said funds allocated to the NCAA support critical regulatory functions, including airline and airport certification, licensing of aviation organisations, safety inspections, economic regulation, consumer protection, accident prevention programmes, implementation of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, inspector training, cybersecurity and acquisition of specialised oversight equipment.
They added that the funding also helps Nigeria meet financial obligations to international aviation bodies, including the ICAO, the African Civil Aviation Commission and the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation.
The chapter warned that reducing the NCAA’s share of the TSC could affect the authority’s ability to effectively carry out its regulatory responsibilities.
Among the possible consequences listed were fewer safety inspections, delays in certification and licensing processes, reduced training opportunities for safety inspectors, challenges in maintaining specialised equipment and weaker compliance with international aviation standards.
The engineers further warned that reduced funding could affect Nigeria’s performance during ICAO safety oversight assessments, weaken international confidence in the country’s aviation system and potentially impact its global aviation reputation.
“A strong regulator remains the foundation of every safe aviation system,” the communiqué stated.
“Effective regulation provides oversight over every operator, every airport, every air navigation service provider and every aviation organisation. Weakening the regulator through reduced funding ultimately weakens the entire aviation industry,” it added.
While acknowledging the importance of adequate funding for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the NCAA chapter said improving one aviation institution should not undermine another.
The group recognised the significant investment required to maintain Communications, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management infrastructure but argued that all aviation agencies must be strengthened based on their statutory responsibilities.
“We fully recognise the importance of adequate funding for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and acknowledge the enormous investment required to maintain Communications, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management infrastructure,” the communiqué stated.
“However, strengthening one agency should never come at the expense of another agency whose statutory responsibility is to regulate, inspect and enforce compliance across the entire aviation sector,” it added.
The chapter called for wider consultation among stakeholders and urged industry players to develop sustainable funding solutions that would support all aviation institutions without compromising their mandates.
The dispute follows an ongoing debate over proposed changes to the distribution formula for the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge collected within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Under the existing arrangement, the NCAA receives 56 per cent of the revenue pool, while the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency receives 22 per cent. The remaining allocation is shared among the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
A bill currently before the National Assembly seeks to adjust the formula by reducing the NCAA’s share and increasing the allocation for NAMA.
