The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed airline operators in the country to file any proposed add-on charges, surcharges or other miscellaneous charges with the regulatory authority for approval before it becomes operational.
This is just as it also warned operators to desist from arbitrarily increasing miscellaneous charges on ticket payment content without the authority’s approval.
The warning is contained in an online statement signed by the General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye and made available to journalists yesterday
Adurogboye explained that in the process 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 (NCARs) which relates to the approval of charges on all flights within Nigeria or originating from Nigeria to international routes.
The General Manager stated that Part of 18.14.3.1 of NCARs says that, ”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.”
According to the NCAA mage maker said that in addition, Part 18.14.3.2 also says that, “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.
Other provisions of Part 18 of NCARs includes to 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 months in each instance.
Adurogboye reminded airline 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.