The NCAA Chapter of the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) has formally disassociated itself from recent media statements credited to the NAAE National President concerning the proposed review of the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) sharing formula. The chapter clarified that the published position does not reflect the consensus of its members, noting that as a national body spanning multiple agencies, NAAE should have conducted broad internal consultations before making public declarations on policy issues of national significance.
Emphasizing the importance of statutory revenue distribution, the NCAA Chapter explained that the TSC is vital to funding distinct but complementary roles across the nation’s aviation ecosystem. Unlike operational service providers that generate commercial revenue or manage physical infrastructure, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority functions purely as an economic and safety regulator. Consequently, its operational funding depends heavily on its designated allocation from the ticket sales revenue.
The chapter highlighted that these regulatory funds directly support critical, non-commercial statutory duties essential to maintaining global safety standards. Key responsibilities funded by the allocation include the certification and licensing of airlines, airports, training institutions, and air navigation service providers. Furthermore, the revenue covers continuous safety surveillance, economic regulations, consumer protection, enforcement of safety programs, and compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Beyond routine internal operations, the NCAA allocation covers vital infrastructure, specialized inspector training, and international commitments. The funding ensures active participation in regional oversight frameworks and guarantees that Nigeria meets its financial obligations to international bodies such as ICAO, the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), and the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO), thereby preserving the nation’s voting rights and international standing.
Warning against potential policy missteps, the engineers cautioned that reducing NCAA’s statutory share would severely undermine regulatory oversight across Nigeria’s airspace. A compromised budget would lead to decreased inspection frequencies, delayed certifications, inadequate inspector training, and equipment shortages. These shortfalls risks degrading Nigeria’s performance during ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme assessments and eroding global confidence in the country’s aviation sector.
While acknowledging the significant capital needed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to maintain communications, navigation, and surveillance infrastructure, the NCAA Chapter argued that bolstering one agency should not occur at the expense of the sector’s primary regulator. The chapter stressed that a strong regulatory body is the bedrock of safety across all operational entities, and weakening its budget ultimately destabilizes the entire industry.
In closing, the NCAA Chapter urged the national leadership of NAAE and broader industry stakeholders to avoid agency-level rivalry and instead pursue sustainable funding models that serve all entities. Calling for wider consultation, constructive dialogue, and evidence-based engagement on national aviation policies, the chapter reaffirmed its commitment to promoting regulatory excellence, safety oversight, and institutional cooperation in the national interest.