Aviation Engineers Reject Proposed TSC Review, Warn Against Weakening NCAA Funding

The National Association of Aircraft Engineers (NAAE) has rejected a proposed review of the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) sharing formula, warning that reducing the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority's (NCAA) funding could weaken aviation safety oversight and undermine the country's regulatory system.

The association said the proposal to reduce the NCAA's share of the TSC from 56 per cent to 40 per cent while increasing the allocation to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) would place additional financial pressure on the aviation regulator. It argued that the NCAA requires stronger financial support to effectively discharge its statutory responsibilities.

According to the engineers, the major challenge facing the aviation sector is not the revenue-sharing formula but the persistent failure of some airlines to remit Ticket Sales Charges collected from passengers. They urged the Federal Government to prioritise the recovery of outstanding remittances instead of reducing the regulator's allocation.

The association warned that inadequate funding could affect the NCAA's capacity to carry out aircraft inspections, personnel certification, safety surveillance, compliance monitoring, stressing that maintaining a financially independent regulator is essential to preserving Nigeria's aviation safety record.

NAAE called on the National Assembly to reconsider the proposed amendment, insisting that any reform should strengthen rather than weaken the country's aviation regulatory framework. It maintained that safeguarding the NCAA's financial autonomy remains critical to ensuring safe, efficient air transport operations in Nigeria.