The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is still undecided on whether to reintroduce a $300 landing fee for helicopter operators in the country.
The agency had earlier announced plans to recommence the collection of the fee, but has since clarified that the decision has been put on hold since May 2024.
Speaking at the 53rd Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) in Kano, Mr. Tayo John, Director of Air Traffic Services, NAMA, explained that the collection of the fee would ease the agency’s current financial burden.
However, the agency has emphasized that any decision to reintroduce the fee would require adequate input and buy-in from concerned stakeholders.
The controversy surrounding the $300 landing fee began earlier this year when NAMA announced plans to recommence the collection of the fee from helicopter operators.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, suspended the collection in May 2024 following a review committee’s report.
The committee, which included representatives from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), International Oil Companies (IOCs), and NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd, was set up to review the issue and submit a report by the end of June 2024.
NAMA has highlighted the financial constraints it faces, including budgetary limitations, revenue collection issues, high operational costs, and dependence on foreign exchange, which limit its capacity to fulfill its mandate to provide safe, reliable, and efficient air navigation services.
The agency has advised helicopter operators to continue with their legitimate duties as it continues to work towards ensuring the safety of air navigation in the country.
The issue of the $300 landing fee has been a subject of controversy, with stakeholders querying the collection of the fee and the choice of NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd to collect the fee.
AON had argued that there was neither legal framework nor legal justification for the company to introduce such a fee.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, had engaged NAEBI Dynamic Concept to collect the fee from helicopter landings and take-offs on and from oil rig platforms and private helipads.
However, stakeholders had questioned the structure NAEBI put in place to deserve such payment from helicopter companies.
The review committee’s report is expected to provide further clarity on the issue, and any decision to reintroduce the fee would require adequate input and buy-in from concerned stakeholders.
