In response to the directive from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has suspended its earlier announced increase in navigational charges.
The suspension of the new charges which fell in line with the Minister’s recognition of the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians, equally underscored the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of Nigerian citizens and stakeholders in the aviation sector.
The Minister according to NAMA stressed the need for further consultation before implementing any changes, highlighting the importance of being sensitive to the plight of Nigerians amidst these economic challenges.
This development followed the presentation made by Managing Director/CE of NAMA, Farouk Ahmed Umar at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents Annual Conference held in Lagos on July 26, 2024 with the theme: “Aviation Survivability amidst a Challenging Macro-Economic Environment.”
Farouk highlighted the financial challenges NAMA faces which made the agency to rely on statutory fees and charges for managing the airspace.
NAMA had proposed an increase in its fees and charges to sustain its operations and ensure the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s airspace.
The new unit rate/minimum charge for en-route was set to increase to 18,000 Naira from 2,000 Naira per flight while the unit rate/minimum charge for terminal navigation charge(TCN domestic) were to rise to 54,000 Naira from 6,000 Naira per flight with effect from the 1st of September.
The agency promised to 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 fee increase is a testament to the government’s responsiveness to public concerns and its commitment to balancing economic sustainability with the needs of its citizens.
