Nigeria considers ticket-sale scheme to recover airline debts

The Nigerian Federal Government is considering a proposal to allow domestic airlines to settle outstanding debts owed to aviation agencies through future ticket sales instead of immediate cash payments.

Developed by QuickAir Networks Limited, the “National Ticket-for-Cash Aviation Revenue Recovery Programme” was presented to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Under this arrangement, airlines would create digital wallets representing the value of their debts to agencies such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The debt value would be converted into flight-seat inventory and distributed via QuickAir’s platform to travel agencies, corporate organizations, and government institutions. To prevent the accumulation of new debt, the proposal includes an automated system where the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge is remitted to the agencies as tickets are sold online.

Segun Oyebolu, representing QuickAir, stated that the scheme aims to ease cash-flow pressures on airlines facing high operating costs while providing a flexible mechanism for the government to recover owed funds.