The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has denied assertions made by Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema suggesting that government-imposed heavy taxes are the reason for rising domestic flight costs. Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, clarified in a social media statement on Sunday that recurring claims regarding excessive taxation on local flights are false. This rebuttal came after Onyema stated during an Arise Television interview that multiple taxes were responsible for high ticket prices and cautioned that fares might increase further when new tax regulations take effect in January. While Onyema warned that the upcoming tax changes could drive prices up, Achimugu maintained that no local airline is subject to 18 different taxes in Nigeria. He explicitly labeled any domestic carrier claiming to pay 18 taxes for local operations as untruthful. Achimugu explained that the current spike in airfares is primarily a result of market forces like supply and demand, specifically pointing out the significant price hike seen in December. He questioned why fares would surge so sharply during the holiday season if taxes were the primary cause. Furthermore, he stated that the level of assistance domestic airlines receive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and NCAA Director General Capt. Chris Najomo makes it unjustifiable to blame the government for these price increases. Achimugu concluded that given the support provided to local carriers, the government should not be criticized through such public allegations.
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