Air Nigeria operations suspended for second time in two weeks

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) indefinitely suspended Air Nigeria's operating licence on 21-Jun-2012, alleging the carrier is under "financial distress". As reported by local medial sources including Daily Trust, PunchNG and PANA, Air Nigeria stated it will liaise with the relevant agencies to ensure the suspension order is lifted as soon as possible. The carrier's holding company, Air Nigeria Development Company Limited, reportedly owes NGN4.871 billion (USD30 million) in tax dues to the Nigerian Government, dating back to 2007. The carrier has also been subject to several other allegations of tax evasion and other violations of the Nigerian tax code by the Nigerian Federal Inland Revenue Service. The carrier's operations were suspended earlier this month when the NCAA required it to ground its aircraft for safety inspections.