The Director General of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Umar Farouk, has announced that the N11,000 fee charged by airline operators per flight in Nigeria is no longer sustainable due to the current economic climate.
Farouk made this declaration on Tuesday during a summit organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation in Abuja. The summit, themed “Emerging Trends in Global Aviation: Sustainability, Technology and Digital Transformation,” gathered key aviation stakeholders to discuss recent developments in the sector.
Explaining the fee structure, Farouk stated, “In 2008, NAMA was collecting N11,000. When I say N11,000, it’s per the whole flight. For instance, from Lagos to Abuja, we charge N11,000 for the entire flight, regardless of the number of passengers.”
He pointed out the stark contrast between historical fees and current ticket prices, noting, “From 2008 to date, ticket prices have risen to nearly N150,000 or between N150,000 and N200,000 for an economic ticket, yet our fee remains at N11,000.”
Farouk emphasized NAMA’s investments in modern aviation infrastructure, saying, “As cost recovery agents, we must recover our investments. We’ve invested significantly in improved landing systems, surveillance systems, and communication systems, and we continue to modernize. However, we are still receiving minimal fees. The airlines must face the reality; we cannot continue like this.”
He also mentioned ongoing efforts to engage airlines on this issue, stating, “We have made several attempts to draw the airlines’ attention to the need for a discussion on reviewing these charges. The truth is that the airlines have not been fair to us; we are not a charity organization but a cost recovery agency.”
Farouk continued, “While airlines adjust to economic conditions, they must also recognize that we face similar challenges. We procure equipment at high costs, and it is essential to recover our investments to ensure safety is not compromised.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Abdullahi Garba, described the summit as a crucial partnership aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s aviation sector. Represented by the Deputy Chairman, Festus Akingbaso, he stated, “Our goal is to develop actionable plans and reinforce priorities that enhance aviation safety, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance.”
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