$300 helicopter levy: NAMA to sanction defaulting operators, to shut down facilities, others

• Issues seven days payment notice enforcement

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has notified all stakeholders, especially oil and gas operators, of the need for full compliance with the provision of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Act on the prompt payment of helicopter landing levies for air navigation services rendered by the Agency within the Nigerian airspace and cover operations at Oil Fields, Terminals, Platforms, Rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, helipads, airstrips, and aerodromes.

It warned that sanctions will be applied to defaulting operators, including denying or withholding flight clearances to any operator until outstanding charges have been paid by the operator or a security or guarantee has been given to the satisfaction of the Agency for the payment of the charges or fees.

In instances where operators persist in unauthorized usage of Nigerian airspace, particularly through private helipads or platforms operating without requisite NAMA clearance and in breach of national security protocols, the agency said it would seek the approval of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to shut down an relocate such facilities utilised in connection with unauthorized navigational operations within Nigerian airspace in line with Section 8(3) of the Act.

The agency called on all affected oil companies to, within seven days from to formally communicate to Naebi Dynamic Concepts Ltd their proposed payment plans and modalities for applicable air navigation levies.

“Failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe will trigger appropriate enforcement measures, including the denial of flight clearances for helicopter operations to Oil Fields, Terminals, Platforms, Rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, Helipads, Airstrips, and Aerodromes

The agency which said this is in line with its statutory mandate in a statement on Wednesday noted that since 2022, NAMA, in partnership with Naebi Dynamic Concepts Limited, had consistently issued multiple written communications to engage oil and gas operators on the statutory provisions of the NAMA Act.

It regretted that these proactive efforts had not yielded the desired compliance, due to the influence of certain individuals who have worked with them against adherence to established regulatory requirements.

The agency further emphasized that the enforcement of helicopter landing levies aligns with global best practices and is currently implemented across International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) member states in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

These levies, NAMA stated are essential to sustaining the maintenance, upgrading, and acquisition of modern air navigation infrastructure, critical for the safe and efficient management of Nigeria’s airspace, particularly given the growing operations of drones, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft.

“In accordance with the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Act, 2022, the agency is exclusively empowered by law to provide and manage air navigation services and air traffic control for aircraft take-off and landing at all public and private aerodromes within Nigerian airspace.”

“A person other than the Agency shall not provide air navigation services in respect of Nigerian airspace or any other airspace which Nigeria has responsibility to provide such services”, said the Managing Director of NAMA, Ahmed Farouk.

This action, it said is undertaken not merely to enforce regulatory compliance, but to safeguard national security, enhance aviation safety, promote operational sustainability, and ensure the continued efficiency of Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem, all in alignment with international obligations and globally accepted best practices.

Wole Shadare