‘$300 helicopter levy re-introduction never in contemplation of NAMA’

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has dismissed reports that it was planning to reintroduction the $300 landing fee from helicopter operators in the country.

The agency in a statement by its spokesman, Abdullahi Musa disclosed that the issue had been put on hold since May 2024 with the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo who, along with the agency is still making consultations with critical stakeholders on the matter.

“The insinuation therefore is baseless, unofficial and was never in the contemplation of the agency.”

Musa said the rebuttal was necessary to disabuse the minds of operators and airspace users’ minds about the misleading publication.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the agency as a law-abiding corporate citizen of this country cannot embark on such a venture without recourse to extant rules and adequate input and buy-in from the concerned stakeholders”

“The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) therefore uses this medium to advise helicopter operators to go about their legitimate duties as the agency continues to work assiduously towards ensuring the safety of air navigation in the country.”

Keyamo, had in May, following a meeting with the Executives of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) on the issue bordering on Helicopter landing levies collection at Aerodromes, Helipads, and Air Strips among others asked NAMA to suspend the action.

Industry stakeholders had expressed reservations after Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd was granted the exclusive right by the Federal Government to collect the levy.

The Minister has constituted a Committee with members drawn up from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its relevant Agencies, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd who are charged to look into the issues raised by concerned Stakeholders and submit a Report on or before end of June 2024.

The sector was however jolted when the  Director of Air Traffic Services, NAMA, Tayo John said that the collection of the fee would ease the agency’s current financial burden, adding that the agency would recommence the collection of the controversial $300 landing fee on helicopter operators in the country soon.

He spoke at the 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) in Kano,

Presenting a paper: ‘Financial Constraints Affecting Nigeria’s Air Navigation Provision: Impact and Mitigation Strategies,’ John said that the Federal Government prevailed on it to drop the fee when it commenced its collection a few months ago, but declared that this time around, there was no going back.

He was however silent on when the agency would resume the collection of the controversial fee from helicopter operators flying within the country’s airspace.

Wole Shadare