The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has announced a substantial increase in en-route navigational charges, sparking concerns about potential further hikes in airfares for both domestic and international travel. The announcement was made by NAMA’s Managing Director, Umar Ahmed Farouk, during a presentation at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) conference in Lagos on Friday.
The revised charges will see an increase from N2,000 to N18,000 for local operations and from N6,000 to N54,000 per flight for international services. Additionally, the cost for extending hours of service at sunset airports will rise from N50,000 to N450,000 per extension. The changes are aimed at helping NAMA recover the costs of diesel and other logistics during these extended periods.
Travellers have expressed concern that these increases could further escalate the cost of air travel, compounding the financial burden on passengers already facing high ticket prices. This move comes in the wake of a strategic meeting earlier this year between NAMA, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and some airline operators under the aegis of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to review the outdated N16,000 Terminal Enroute Navigational Charges (TNS).
Farouk explained that the hike was necessary to address the high costs associated with airspace surveillance and security, emphasizing the need for efficient pricing of products and services within the aviation industry. He highlighted that these charges are crucial for NAMA to effectively manage airspace safety, given that the agency relies on statutory fees rather than government budgetary allocations.
“NAMA relies on statutory fees for the management of the airspace. These funds are generated from services we provide to the flying community. Without these funds, NAMA can’t discharge its responsibility of ensuring the safety of our airspace effectively. We majorly generate these funds through the airline companies,” Farouk stated.
He revealed that in 2023 alone, NAMA’s expenditures included about N21 billion in personnel costs, over N12 billion in capital costs, and over N10 billion in overhead costs, all funded through fees without any budgetary allocation from the federal government. Farouk pointed out that while domestic ticket prices have skyrocketed to as high as between N150,000 to N200,000 for a one-way economy ticket, NAMA’s navigational charges have remained unchanged since June 2008.
The announcement has led to apprehension among stakeholders and passengers alike, with many fearing that the increased charges will inevitably be passed on to consumers, further inflating the cost of air travel in Nigeria. The aviation industry now faces the challenge of balancing the need for sustainable funding and operational efficiency with maintaining affordability for passengers.
