Airlines Groaning Under Multiple Taxation – Okonkwo

Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) and spokesperson for Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Professor Obiora Okonkwo, has raised alarm over what he described as the crippling burden of “multiple taxes and levies” imposed on airlines in Nigeria.

Okonkwo said that domestic carriers are forced to pay “about 20 charges” per air ticket covering fees from agencies such as Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) seriously eroding profit margins and operating capacity.

He warned that the high number of levies, combined with foreign-exchange pressures, threatens the sustainability of local airlines. Okonkwo urged the Federal Government to intervene by reducing the multiplicity of charges and offering more affordable credit facilities to aviation operators.

Industry stakeholders have echoed the concern, saying that with levies consuming a substantial part of ticket revenues, airlines struggle to maintain fleets, meet maintenance needs, or expand services a situation that could lead to more airlines collapsing.

Okonkwo argued that easing tax burdens and improving access to low-interest funding would help stabilise the sector, reduce fares, and make air travel more accessible to Nigerians.

 Oshuniran Sheriff Ola