NAMA Advocates for Aviation Navigation Charge Increase Amid Airline Opposition

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has called for an upward review of the current aviation navigation charge of ₦11,000 per flight, stating that the fee, unchanged since 2008, is no longer economically sustainable. NAMA Director-General, Farouk Umar, emphasized that the agency operates on a cost-recovery basis and requires increased revenue to maintain and modernize essential aviation infrastructure.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ summit organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation in Abuja, Umar highlighted that airlines currently pay the same flat rate per flight regardless of passenger load or distance. He contrasted this with the significant rise in airfare prices over the same period, noting that the agency faces the same inflationary and foreign exchange pressures as operators.

NAMA has invested in advanced navigation, surveillance, and communication systems to enhance safety and align with global standards. However, rising procurement and maintenance costs have strained its financial capacity, prompting the push for revised tariffs.

In response, airline operators have expressed strong resistance, citing already high operational costs, multiple existing levies, and fragile profit margins. They caution that additional charges could lead to further increases in ticket prices, affecting passenger demand and industry sustainability.

The House Committee on Aviation acknowledged the need for dialogue and collaboration, stressing the importance of balancing agency funding with airline viability. The committee urged NAMA to demonstrate operational transparency and efficiency as part of the review process.

The ongoing debate underscores broader challenges within Nigeria’s aviation sector, including infrastructure funding, operational costs, and the need for regulatory frameworks that support both safety and economic growth.