BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has halted the decision to hike navigational charges.
The decision follows backlash from aviation stakeholders and a recent directive from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who has acknowledged the economic hardships currently jolting Nigerians.
Keyamo stressed the importance of further consultations before implementing any fee changes, emphasising the need for sensitivity towards the financial burdens faced by the populace during these challenging times.
The announcement comes after a keynote address delivered by Engineer Farouk Ahmed Umar, Managing Director and CEO of NAMA, at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents Annual Conference held in Lagos on July 26, 2024.
The conference, themed “Aviation Survivability amidst a Challenging Macro-Economic Environment,” provided a platform for discussing the pressures faced by the aviation industry, which include global economic instability, rising fuel costs, and currency fluctuations.
Engineer Farouk outlined various strategies for the industry’s resilience and growth, such as enhancing operational efficiency, embracing innovation and technology, improving infrastructure, and fostering collaborative partnerships.
He also addressed NAMA’s financial constraints, noting that the agency relies on statutory fees to manage the airspace.
The proposed fee hike, which included increasing the en-route unit rate from 2,000 Naira to 18,000 Naira per flight and the terminal navigation charge (TCN domestic) from 6,000 Naira to 54,000 Naira per flight, was set to take effect on September 1st.
Despite these challenges, NAMA will continue engaging with airlines, which have adapted to the economic environment since 2008 without fully accounting for NAMA’s cost recovery needs, in line with global practices.
The Minister’s directive and the subsequent suspension of the planned fee increase highlight the government’s dedication to addressing the concerns of both citizens and stakeholders in the aviation sector.
This move demonstrates a commitment to balancing economic sustainability with the well-being of the nation’s people, underscoring the government’s responsiveness to public concerns.
