The federal government has introduced a helicopter landing levy, which it says is a cost recovery measure and an "aeronautical revenue from the lower airspace."
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development made the announcement late Monday, adding that it has subsequently 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 in the lower airspace where helicopter operations are dominant directed NAMA to live up to her responsibilities to enable them to generate enough resources to sustain their aeronautical architecture, enhance security and surveillance, and improve the overall quality of helicopters operations in Nigeria," a statement by Odutayo Oluseyi, Head of Press and Public Affairs in the Aviation ministry said.
The ministry said helicopter landing levies are common in countries such as "the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and various regions worldwide".
The ministry expressed confidence that the move will improve capacity, efficiency, safety, and 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," the statement added.
