The long-standing dispute between helicopter operators and the Federal Government has resurfaced as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency moves to reintroduce the controversial $300 helicopter landing fee.
An internal memo obtained exclusively by The PUNCH on Monday revealed that the suspension of the fee has been lifted, and collection is set to resume immediately.
The conflict erupted in 2024 when NAMA announced plans to charge helicopter operators $300 per landing, a move that drew strong opposition from both helicopter and scheduled flight operators against the government.
Industry stakeholders had threatened legal action, prompting the Federal Government to intervene and halt the fee’s implementation. NAMA had maintained that the levy was necessary to ease its financial burden. Despite past resistance, the agency insisted the fee would eventually be reinstated.
According to the memo seen on Monday, dated May 15 and signed by NAMA’s General Manager of Air Traffic Control Operations, Akut D.S., two private firms have been directed to begin an immediate collection of the levy.
“I am directed to convey a ministerial directive on the lifting of the temporary suspension on the enforcement granted to Messrs NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited, an aviation consultant, for the collection of helicopter landing levies for air navigational services related to helicopter operations by oil companies. Messrs NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited is to immediately resume the collection,” it stated
When contacted, NAMA spokesperson, Abdullah Musa, confirmed the development, saying, “The suspension has been lifted as approved by the ministry. It is with immediate effect.” He, however, declined to provide further comment.
Speaking exclusively with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, it was confirmed that the decision had been taken, as the minister described it as an additional revenue source for the Federal Government.
He claimed that the Airline Operators of Nigeria, who were previously opposed to the fee, had agreed to its implementation.
“We are aware of the previous objections, particularly from the AON, but they have since reached an agreement. However, we are now seeing new concerns from some oil companies, and I have directed engagement to address their issues,” Keyamo said.
However, the Managing Director of Aero Contractors and an AON member, Capt Ado Sanusi, denied the minister’s claim, stating that the operators had not been officially informed.
Sanusi said, “We are not aware of the recommencement of the fee. The minister has not briefed us. If it is going to happen, we expect to be formally informed.”
Asked about possible steps to be taken by operators if the fee is enforced without consultation, he replied, “Let them inform us first, then we will decide what to do.”
The spokesperson of AON and founder of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof Obiora Okonkwo, said members of the body would not pay any further charge, reiterating that operators were already overburdened with taxes.
He said, “NAMA does not take permission from us before doing their thing, but our position is that our operators are not liable to pay any more charges besides the ones we are already paying. We also have enough charges to pay already.”
