NCAA to sanction airstrips, airports missing legitimate permits starting January 2026

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has introduced that native airports and airstrips working with out legitimate permits will face sanctions ranging from January 1, 2026.

This warning was issued by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Requirements at NCAA, Godwin Balang, in the course of the Airstrip House owners and Operators Stakeholders Engagement Programme held in Lagos on Monday, as reported by the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN).

Balang emphasised that the transfer was not supposed as a menace however represented a collective resolve to implement regulatory compliance throughout the aviation sector.

Based on Balang, there are about 92 airstrips throughout the nation, together with operational, non-operational, and people underneath rehabilitation or new building, based mostly on NCAA’s present database. Nonetheless, only some of those airstrips presently maintain legitimate operational permits.

“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned that native airports working with out the mandatory permits will face sanctions beginning Jan. 1, 2026. 

“The Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Requirements at NCAA, Godwin Balang, made this recognized on Monday on the Airstrip House owners and Operators Stakeholders Engagement Programme in Lagos,” the NAN report learn partly.

It added, “He mentioned there are about 92 Airstrips (operational, non-operational, and a few underneath rehabilitation/new constructions) in Nigeria based mostly on the present NCAA Airstrip database. Based on him, curiously, a number of are already updated with their legitimate operational permits.” 

Balang famous that 68 airstrips are managed by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Growth, whereas 24 are owned by people and personal organisations, highlighting the necessity for nearer collaboration between the NCAA and the Ministry to enhance regulatory oversight.

He defined that Part 71(3) and (4)(a) of the Civil Aviation Act (CAA) 2022 empowers the NCAA to certify aerodrome operations and set minimal security requirements. Given latest modifications within the aviation sector, Balang mentioned the Authority would revise its laws and place larger concentrate on aviation safety to deal with rising threats.

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Additionally talking on the occasion, NCAA Director-Common Capt. Chris Najomo reaffirmed the Authority’s dedication to implementing compliance with nationwide laws and international finest practices.

• He mentioned the engagement was designed to strengthen communication with state and personal airstrip operators, make clear regulatory necessities, and encourage the adoption of world requirements.
• Najomo added that the NCAA was growing tailor-made laws for airstrips, separate from the stricter requirements utilized to main aerodromes, to help the expansion of normal aviation whereas sustaining security.

The occasion, themed “Enhancing Security, Compliance and Collaboration for Environment friendly Airstrips Operations,” drew participation from key business stakeholders, together with representatives of the Nigerian School of Aviation Expertise, Nigeria Security Investigation Bureau, and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.