The Airline Operators of Nigeria says the controversial $11.50 charge scheduled to begin on December 1 was initiated by the Nigeria Immigration Service but announced and set for enforcement by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
The group described the levy as an added strain on an already troubled aviation sector and an extra burden on operators, even though it will ultimately be passed on to passengers.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, AON spokesperson and United Nigeria Airlines Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, voiced alarm over the rising number of fees imposed on airlines.
He said the new charge is unnecessary and harmful to the industry’s stability, warning that multiple taxes are pushing many carriers to the brink.
He urged the government to support domestic airlines as developed countries do with their own.
Okonkwo said Nigeria’s aviation sector is already under intense financial strain from multiple levies, taxes, and regulatory fees imposed by different government agencies.
He noted that operators effectively fund all services provided by aviation agencies, adding that the new $11.50 charge reflects yet another instance of policy inconsistency and poor inter-agency coordination.
Okonkwo said, “Aviation has turned into an elephant where lots of people are feeding on, and the operators are the ones doing the job. First, it was $20 for security, and one wonders what security they provided. The $11.50 is coming from immigration, and we already have the $20 for security. If you recall the controversy that greeted the $20 charge, they just collect this money and put it in one account.
“This money was collected for many years. It was when a subsequent government came in, and the minister discovered that there was money in there and embarked on some innovation. If you collect what is supposed to be for security and put corporate service or renovation or staff welfare, or any other thing, that is clearly collecting money under a pretense! That is dubious.”
Okonkwo questioned the type of security the NIS actually provides at airports, recalling that the NCAA had introduced a $20 security charge on international flights several years ago—a move that drew widespread criticism from industry stakeholders.
He warned that the continuous introduction of such fees would inevitably push ticket prices higher and risk making Nigeria a less attractive hub for international travel.
“This $11.50 is from immigration. They said there is a need for passenger profiling, and it applies to international passengers, which means that before passengers land, they already capture their data. My question is, is that amount commensurate with what other people charge elsewhere? How does immigration play a security role?” he asked.
Okonkwo appealed to the government to consider the concerns of airline operators, arguing that easing the pressures on carriers would ultimately benefit the entire country.
He also reiterated his call for the Federal Government to provide single-digit interest loans to operators, noting that a nation’s progress is closely tied to the efficiency of its transportation system—especially the aviation sector.
Okonkwo added that President Bola Tinubu’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy would be out of reach without a strong and thriving aviation sector.
He said, “However, we are appealing to the Nigerian government to continue to support the aviation industry. A $1trn economy can never be achieved without aviation. What we are asking for is a single-digit interest because we are competing with international airlines that have access to credit facilities and also have government backing.”
