Nigerian Airspace Charges Hike Suspended Following Ministerial Intervention

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has suspended its proposed 800% increase in navigational charges, following a directive from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. This decision was revealed in a statement on Monday by Abdullahi Musa, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NAMA.

Last Friday, NAMA announced its plan to significantly raise navigation charges, prompting concerns among passengers and stakeholders in the aviation sector. Farouk Umar, NAMA’s Managing Director, had outlined the necessity of these charges during the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents Annual Conference in Lagos, explaining that the agency relies on statutory charges to manage the airspace and ensure its safety and efficiency.

Umar detailed that the new unit rate/minimum charge for en-route navigation was set to increase from N2,000 to N18,000 per flight, while terminal navigation charges for domestic airlines would rise from N6,000 to N54,000 per flight, effective from September 1, 2024. However, these positions were overruled by Minister Keyamo, who directed the suspension of the hikes in recognition of the economic challenges facing Nigerians.

Musa’s statement underscored that the minister’s directive prioritised sensitivity to the current economic difficulties, necessitating further consultation before any changes could be implemented. The statement reads, “The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency would continue to engage the airlines, who have been responding to the prevailing economic situation since 2008 without taking NAMA into consideration, which is supposed to be a cost recovery agency in line with global practices.”

The suspension of the planned fee increase highlights the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of citizens and stakeholders within the aviation sector. “The directive from the minister and the subsequent suspension of the planned increase underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of Nigerian citizens and stakeholders in the aviation sector,” Musa noted.

This move is seen as a testament to the government’s responsiveness to public concerns and its effort to balance economic sustainability with the needs of its citizens.