Airlines’ Tariffs Have Been Liberalised, Not Increased, Says NCAA

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says all airlines’ tariffs for services rendered, which include fares, rates, add-on charges or terms and condition of service, have been fully liberalised.

This was disclosed in a statement by the General Manager, Public Relations of NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, which was made available to the press in Lagos on Sunday.

The statement explained that this was to clarify reports in some sections of the media that the NCAA had authorised airlines to increase their fares.

According to the statement, air fares and sundry charges have been statutorily deregulated and subjected to market forces.

“However, all air carriers or their agents shall file, with the authority, a tariff for that service showing all rates, fares and add-on charges.

“These include the terms and conditions of free and reduced rate transportation for that service, as specified in Part 18.14.1.1 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).

“They shall obtain approval from the authority to introduce and or increase add-on charges or surcharges such as fuel, internet booking, insurance, security and similar surcharges, prior to implementation,” it said.

The statement said the section also requires all tariffs to be filed at least seven days before the rates come into effect, except in the case of matching an existing rate for which no prior notification was required.

The statement also stated that prior to the approval, all fares filed with the authority are subjected to Breakeven Analysis and this continues intermittently.

“This analysis is to curb anti-competitive pricing among airlines and to ensure that fares are not too low as to impact on safety arising from inability to carry out prerequisite maintenance on their aircraft.

“On the other hand, NCAA will similarly intervene if the fares are too high to avoid overpricing that will deny the teeming passengers access to air transportation,” it said.

According to the statement, the NCAA under Part 18.14.1.4, may sanction an airline for failing to apply the fares, rates, charges or terms and conditions of carriage set out in the tariff that applies to that service.

It said the airline would be directed to pay compensation for any expense incurred by a person adversely affected by its failure to apply the fares, rates, charges or terms and conditions set out in the tariff.

NCAA advised all airline operators and stakeholders to discountenance the reports and continue to operate in an atmosphere of liberalisation and level playing field the Federal Government has put in place.

Source - NTA

NCAA suspends three pilots for taking alcohol before flight

Three pilots who were suspended by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for allegedly taking alcohol before operating their flights. They are to undergo psychiatric evaluation before rejoining the service, the authority said on Friday.

Sam Adurogboye, acting general manager, public relations, NCAA, disclosed this while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

The NCAA had recently withdrawn the licenses of the three pilots and placed them on a three-month suspension for breaching civil aviation regulations in the country.

According to the rules, a pilot is prohibited from taking alcohol for at least three hours before flight time.

Mr. Adurogboye noted that such act could compromise the safety of their passengers, adding that the NCAA was very vigilant in ensuring strict compliance to safety rules.

“It is very clear. They are to be off duty for three months. While on suspension, they are to be made to go through psychiatric evaluation before rejoining the service,” he said.

Mr. Adurogboye advised airline operators and pilots to abide by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), warning that offenders would be visited with severe penalties. (NAN)