The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has stated that the introduction of helicopter landing levies, which is in line with international best practices is to enhance the quality of helicopter operations and a cost recovery measure.
The Ministry stated this in a statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Affairs, FMAAD,Odutayo Oluseyi explained that the Federal Government recognises the importance of helicopter operations in Nigeria’s aviation industry and that it is committed to implementing international best practices in helicopter operations through its agency – Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
The Ministry argued that helicopter landing levies are commonplace in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and other regions worldwide.
To buttress its point, the Ministry cited instance, Tallahassee International Airport in Florida, which according to the Ministry began implementing helicopter landing levies under Vector Airport Systems from October 1, 2022.
It added that helicopter landing levies are common across airfields in the United Kingdom, ranging from major commercial ones to small general aviation fields.
Typically, it pointed out that helicopter levies match or exceed those for fixed-wing aircraft, varying based on factors like location and services provided.
The Federal Government, the Ministry said granted NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited exclusive rights to collect helicopter landing levies in line with the the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between NAEBI Concept and NAMA (focal Agency), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
It noted that NAMA under the Act as amended in 2022 is empowered to collect aeronautical revenues in both the upper and lower airspace to support itself-sustainability.
The Ministry, however lamented that over the years NAMA has predominantly relied on the upper airspace for its revenue generation.
The Ministry said that the Federal Government in its wisdom having discovered a lacuna on the lower airspace where helicopter operations is dominant directed NAMA to live up to its responsibilities to enable the agency generate enough resources to sustain its aeronautical architecture, enhance security and surveillance, and improve the overall quality of helicopter operations in Nigeria.
“We are confident that this move will improve capacity, efficiency, safety, 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 Ministry statement said.
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