The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has halted its previously proposed 800% rise in navigational fees due to a directive from Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of NAMA, Abdullahi Musa via its official X handle on Monday.
Concerns were expressed by stakeholders in the aviation industry as well as travelers when NAMA stated on Friday that it planned to increase its navigation fees by 800%.
The Managing Director of NAMA, Farouk Umar, while speaking at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents Annual Conference held in Lagos, emphasized that the agency manages the airspace through statutory fees.
In addition, Umar stated that in order to maintain operations and guarantee the security and effectiveness of Nigeria’s airspace, the Nigerian airspace agency organization had proposed raising its fees.
He stated that as of September 1, 2024, the unit rate/minimum charge for domestic airlines’ terminal navigation would increase to N54,000 from N6,000 per trip, while the new unit rate/minimum charge for en-route flights was to climb to N18,000 from N2,000 per flight.
However, Keyamo overruled the NAMA boss position . The spokesman for the agency stated that the aviation minister’s direction was the reason behind the decision to halt the charge increase.
Musa said the decision follows the minister’s recognition of the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
He added that the minister emphasized the necessity of more consultation before making any adjustments and stressed the significance of showing consideration for the predicament of Nigerians in the face of economic difficulties.
The statement reads in part, “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 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.
“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.”
