Nigeria: Aviation Ministry implements helicopter landing levies, grants exclusive right to NAEBI Dynamic Concepts

Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has announced the implementation of helicopter landing levies to enhance efficiency and safety of their operations in the country.

According to a statement signed by Odutayo Oluseyi, Head, Press and Public Affairs, FMAAD, this initiative, spearheaded by the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), aims to align the nation’s practices with international standards and improve the overall quality of helicopter services.

The Ministry explained that the decision to introduce helicopter landing levies reflects a commitment to adopting international best practices in aviation management. 

Drawing comparisons from other regions, the Ministry disclosed that countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and India have long implemented similar levies to regulate helicopter traffic and ensure sustainable funding for airspace management.

Under this new policy, NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited has been granted exclusive rights to collect helicopter landing levies. 

It explained further that this arrangement, established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NAEBI Concept, NAMA, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), aims to streamline revenue collection and support the self-sustainability of NAMA.

It said the decision to focus on helicopter operations in revenue generation stems from a recognition of the dominance of such operations in the lower airspace. 

While NAMA has traditionally relied on revenue from the upper airspace, the government identified a need to tap into resources from helicopter activities to bolster infrastructure, security, and surveillance within the lower airspace.

According to the FMAAD, this move is expected to enhance capacity, efficiency, safety, and security within Nigeria’s aviation sector. 

Moreover, it is anticipated to attract more investment into the industry, driving its growth and development.

Stakeholders within the aviation industry have been encouraged to support this initiative, which has undergone due process and aligns with international norms. 

The statement: “The Ministry of Aviation recognises the importance of helicopter operations in Nigeria’s aviation industry and is committed to implementing international best practices in helicopter operations through its agency – Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). 

“The introduction of helicopter landing levies, which is in line with international best practices to enhance the quality of helicopter operations, is a cost recovery measure.

“Helicopter landing levies are commonplace in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and various regions worldwide. 

“For instance, Tallahassee International Airport in Florida began implementing helicopter landing levies under Vector Airport Systems on October 1, 2022. 

“Helicopter landing levies are common across airfields in the United Kingdom, ranging from major commercial ones to small general aviation fields. 

“Typically, helicopter levies match or exceed those for fixed-wing aircraft, varying based on factors like location and services provided.

“The Federal Government has granted NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited exclusive rights to collect helicopter landing levies in line with the MoU between NAEBI Concept and NAMA (focal Agency), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). 

“It is instructive to note that NAMA under the Act as amended in 2022 is empowered to collect aeronautical revenues in both the upper and lower airspace to support her self-sustainability. 

“However, over the years NAMA has predominantly relied on the upper airspace for her revenue generation. 

“Government in her wisdom, having discovered a lacuna on the lower airspace where helicopter operations are dominant, directed NAMA to live up to her responsibilities to enable them generate enough resources to sustain their aeronautical architecture, enhance security and surveillance, and improve the overall quality of helicopter operations in Nigeria. 

“We are confident that this move will improve capacity, efficiency, safety, security, and attract more investment in the aviation industry. 

“We encourage all stakeholders to be committed to this laudable initiative that has followed due processes and procedures, and should embrace the new normal.”

Odutayo Oluseyi, Head, Press and Public Affairs, FMAAD.