NAMA, airlines debate over higher navigation fees

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is calling for an urgent review of its flight service charges, arguing that the current N11,000 fee per flight—unchanged since 2008—is unsustainable in today’s economic climate.

However, airline operators are pushing back, warning that any increase could further strain an already struggling aviation sector.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at a summit hosted by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, NAMA Director-General Farouk Umar said the flat fee structure no longer reflects the cost of maintaining and upgrading critical aviation infrastructure.

“In 2008, NAMA was collecting N11,000 per flight. From then till now, airfares have risen significantly, with economy tickets now ranging between N150,000 and N200,000, yet we are still charging the same N11,000,” Umar said.

The summit, themed “Emerging Trends in Global Aviation: Sustainability, Technology and Digital Transformation,” brought together key stakeholders to address Nigeria’s aviation challenges. Umar used the platform to highlight what he described as a growing imbalance between airline revenues and the funding required to keep the country’s airspace safe.

He noted that while the N11,000 fee is charged per flight—regardless of the number of passengers or the aircraft size—it fails to account for the agency’s rising operational expenses. These include costs tied to inflation, exchange rate volatility, and global supply chain disruptions.

“We keep modernising to ensure Nigeria is not left behind in global aviation development. Yet, the airlines are still paying us peanuts. The world needs to know, and the airlines need to face reality. We cannot continue this way,” he said.

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NAMA, according to Umar, is a cost-recovery institution rather than a profit-driven enterprise. The agency has invested significantly in upgrading its infrastructure—such as Instrument Landing Systems, radar surveillance technologies, and digital communication systems—to meet international aviation safety standards.

“The airlines have not been fair to the agency. They respond to economic circumstances by raising ticket prices, but they do not want to understand that we also operate in the same economy. We go to the same markets to procure equipment. Safety is at stake if we cannot recover costs,” he added.

Umar expressed frustration over the airline industry’s continued resistance to a fee adjustment, despite repeated attempts at dialogue. He argued that without a viable cost-recovery model, NAMA risks falling behind on safety-critical investments.

“Our charges are not for profit. They’re strictly for ensuring we can maintain safe, reliable, and modern air navigation services,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Abdullahi Garba—represented by his deputy, Festus Akingbaso—urged all stakeholders to work together to strengthen the aviation sector.

“Our goal is to develop actionable plans and reinforce priorities that enhance aviation safety, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance,” Garba stated, affirming that the National Assembly would support agencies like NAMA, provided they maintain transparency and efficiency in fund utilization.

The tension between regulators and operators reflects a deeper problem in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. Airlines are burdened with surging fuel prices, foreign exchange scarcity, and a web of taxes imposed by various government tiers. They argue that raising fees could push ticket prices even higher, deepening public frustration and reducing passenger numbers.

Aviation analysts point out that in more developed countries, navigation charges are typically structured to reflect operational realities—based on aircraft size, distance flown, and service complexity. In contrast, Nigeria’s flat-rate system is seen as outdated and financially unsustainable.

The industry now stands at a crossroads. While NAMA insists on a tariff review to fund critical upgrades, airlines caution against additional financial strain. Stakeholders agree that a balanced solution is urgently needed—one that allows NAMA to maintain safety and efficiency without pushing the cost burden entirely onto carriers and passengers.

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