The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has halted its planned 800% increase in airline navigation service charges. The suspension follows intervention by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Initially, NAMA intended to raise the unit rate for en-route air navigation services from N2,000 to N18,000, and the terminal navigation charge (TCN domestic) from N6,000 to N54,000 per flight, starting September 1. Additionally, the cost of extending service hours was set to increase from N50,000 to N450,000.
NAMA’s Managing Director, Umar Farouk, had proposed these hikes to cover the rising costs of diesel and logistics. The agency’s charges had remained unchanged since June 2008, despite significant increases in ticket prices, which now range from N150,000 to N200,000 for a one-way economy class.
NAMA said that the decision to suspend the increase was influenced by the current economic climate and that further consultations would be held to address all concerns related to the proposed charges. The agency’s statement emphasized the need to balance operational costs with economic realities facing the aviation sector.
The suspension marks a temporary relief for airlines and passengers, while ongoing discussions aim to find a viable solution that considers the financial pressures on both the service provider and its customers.
The new unit rate for en-route was set to increase to ₦18,000 from ₦2,000 per flight while the minimum charge for terminal navigation charge was to rise to ₦54,000 from ₦6,000 per flight with effect from September 1, 2024.
