The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced the temporary suspension of the recently introduced helicopter landing fee by the federal government.
The decision, revealed in a statement on Friday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Odutayo Oluseyi, comes in response to significant stakeholder opposition.
The federal government had introduced a $300 helicopter landing levy, granting the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) the authority to begin charging these fees. NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited was authorized to administer the fees for federal entities on behalf of NAMA.
However, following vehement rejection from aviation stakeholders, Minister Keyamo announced that the levy has been suspended, effective May 30, 2024, to allow for a thorough review. A committee has been established to address the concerns raised by stakeholders, with a report due by the end of June 2024.
The official statement read: “Following a meeting with the AON executive on the issue bordering on Helicopter landing levies collection at Aerodromes, Helipads, Air Strips, etc., Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has temporarily suspended the enforcement granted Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd, by the Federal Government, as consultants to collect such levies.
“The suspension is with effect from 30th May, 2024. This, the Minister said, is as a result of clamor for review by some stakeholders in the industry.
“Accordingly, Keyamo has constituted a Committee with members drawn from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its relevant Agencies, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), International Oil Companies (IOCs), and Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd who are charged to look into the issues raised by concerned stakeholders and submit a report on or before the end of June, 2024.
“Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd was granted the exclusive right by the Federal Government as consultants to collect such levies which stakeholders have expressed their reservations on the appropriateness of the levies.
“The recommendation(s) of the Committee would proffer a way forward.”
