Aviation

Airlines Pay N12bn TSC To NCAA

Published

13 years ago

September 27, 2013

Domestic and interna
tional Airlines paid over N12 billion to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) that is five per cent deductions from tickets sold by the airlines to passengers.
Data collected from the regulatory body showed that domestic airlines paid NCAA the sum of N3.666 billion in 2011 and N3.42 billion in 2012, totaling N7.08 billion.
The report says foreign airlines paid the sum of $14.36 million (N2.29 billion) in 2011, while NCAA received from the foreign carriers the sum of $16.76 million (N2.68 billion) in 2012, totaling N5.97 billion.
The figures showed that domestic airlines earned more revenue in 2011 than in 2012 and this is attributed to the slump in domestic air travel after the Dana Air tragic crash of flight 0992 on June 3,2012.
The data also refuted the old belief that foreign airlines pay more charges to the aviation agencies that domestic carriers and the allegation that local operations are always indebted to the regulatory body and others.
Although these charges paid by the airlines go a long way in sustaining the agencies, but the international Civil Aviation Association (IATA) has urged African countries, including Nigeria to review downwards the aeronautical charges leveled against the airlines and devise ways to encourage non aeronautical by building businesses around the airport to attract patronage from passengers and other airport users.
IATA argued that if there are lower charges against airlines they will lower their fares which will in turn bring in more people to travel by air, and as more people use the airport, they become bigger markets and the airport management like the Federal Airport-Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will generate high percentage of its revenue from the non-aeronautical sources.
Analysts believe it is the duty of FAAN to devise more creative ways by introducing different offerings of airport terminal and also to encourage patronage of both airport users and non-airport users to the airport terminals but in ways that safety and security will not be compromised.
Chairman of the aviation think tank Aviation Round Table, Mr, Dele Ore, had once canvassed that government should continue to fund the aviation agencies, arguing that it was premature for government to withdraw its funding of these agencies because if they lean on the charges from the airlines for sustenance the charges would be too high for the airlines.
Such high charges, he said drive down the airlines and deny them the chance of making profits in their operations, and as Ore noted, if the agencies review down their charges, the fares which are relatively exorbitant would crash.
It would be recalled that Airline operators complain of harsh operating environment including non-availability of maintenance facility locally, high charges by the agencies, high cost of aviation fuel and inimical policies introduced by government and all these ensure that airlines have very short lifespan in Nigeria.

Aviation

Togo Govt Scraps It’s Visa Requirements For All African Countries

Published

4 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

The Togolese government has scrapped visa requirements for nationals of all African countries, effective May 18, 2026, meaning Nigerians with valid passports can now enter the country without applying for visa in advance.

African travellers can now stay in Togo visa-free for up to 30 days counting from May 18, 2026.

Visitors must still complete an online pre-arrival registration before entering the country.

The announcement came via the official X handle of Togo’s Ministry of Security, signed by the ministry’s head, Colonel Calixte Batossie Madjoulba.

Under the new policy, eligible African travellers can stay in Togo for up to 30 days without a visa, with the government describing the move as a commitment to Pan-African ideals and regional integration.

Government based the decision within a wider Pan-African agenda, stating that it reaffirms Togo’s attachment to “Pan-African ideals, continental solidarity, and community and African commitments, relating to mobility and regional integration.”

Togo also positioned the move as part of an agenda of “openness, modernisation, and attractiveness” aimed at making the country “a regional hub for services, business, culture, and human exchanges at the heart of Africa.”

There is, however, one step travellers cannot skip. Before arrival, visitors must register on the Togolese government’s official travel portal at voyage.gouv.tg at least 24 hours before reaching the border.

Nigerians can now travel to Togo without applying for a visa in advance.

The registration generates a travel slip that must be presented at entry points across land, air, and sea. The government has been clear that this pre-arrival formality remains mandatory regardless of the visa exemption.

Beyond the registration requirement, standard entry conditions still apply. Security checks, immigration screening, and public health requirements remain in place, and the waiver does not protect travellers who overstay or enter irregularly.

All border agencies have been directed to implement the new policy immediately.

Togo’s decision is part of a broader continental shift. Across Africa, more governments are moving to ease intra-African travel in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area’s vision of freer movement of people and goods.

Togo is now among the more accessible West African destinations for Nigerian travellers, a short trip that previously required advance visa processing and now requires nothing more than a passport and a quick online registration the day before you fly.

Aviation

Egypt Flight Moves To Prevent Explosion —- Diverts London Flight To Rome

Published

4 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

An EasyJet flight from Egypt to London was diverted to Rome after a passenger was found with a power bank in checked luggage.

The airline said the diversion was made as a safety precaution due to regulations surrounding lithium-ion batteries.

Passengers landed safely in Rome and were provided accommodation and refreshments after the delay.

The aircraft, operating flight EZY2618 from Hurghada to London Luton, made an unscheduled landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport last Tuesday evening as a precautionary safety measure.

According to the airline, the decision to divert was taken after a passenger informed cabin crew that the portable charger was inside luggage stored in the aircraft’s hold.

Although no fire or malfunction was reported, lithium-ion batteries found in power banks are considered a significant safety risk on aircraft due to the possibility of overheating or catching fire.

Flight tracking data showed the plane cruising at approximately 36,000 feet over the Adriatic Sea before suddenly changing course and heading towards Rome, where it landed safely about 20 minutes later.

Passengers reportedly disembarked without incident, while the flight was rescheduled for the following day.

In a statement, EasyJet apologised for the disruption and said the diversion was carried out in accordance with aviation safety regulations.

“The safety of passengers and crew is our highest priority,” the airline said, adding that hotel accommodation, meals, and refreshments were provided for affected travellers.

“EasyJet’s policies state that power banks are only permitted in cabin baggage and must not be stored in checked luggage.

The airline also prohibits passengers from using power banks to charge devices during flights.

The incident comes as airlines around the world continue tightening restrictions on portable chargers and lithium battery devices amid growing concerns over onboard fire hazards linked to overheating batteries.

Aviation

Delta At 20: Delta Airline Expands Travel Access Ahead 2026 World Cup

Published

4 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

Delta Air Lines has announced a range of travel solutions aimed at easing the journey for Ghanaian football fans planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States and North America.

The announcement was made during an event in Accra marking the airline’s 20th anniversary in Ghana, as company officials highlighted plans to work closely with local travel agencies to ensure that fans can access tickets and travel packages well in advance for the global tournament.

According to Delta’s Managing Director for International and Specialty Sales, Rob LeBel, the airline is introducing flexible options tailored to different travel needs.

These include individual ticket purchases, discounted group packages for parties of ten or more, and charter services for larger groups.

He explained that the collaboration with travel agencies would also focus on educating customers about the best ways to secure flights during the expected surge in demand.

To expand travel routes, Delta is leveraging its partnership with European carrier KLM, offering passengers alternative connections through Europe when direct routes are fully booked.

The airline believes the upcoming tournament presents a major opportunity to strengthen travel ties between Ghana and North America, particularly as interest among football fans continues to grow.