Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered a two-month suspension on the enforcement and collection of helicopter landing fees targeting oil and gas operations nationwide. The directive follows urgent consultations between aviation authorities and petroleum industry stakeholders, who cautioned that the levy’s continued imposition risked disrupting critical offshore logistics essential for oil production.
The decision was announced in a statement from the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, following a meeting Monday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The gathering included the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, regulators, and representatives from major oil companies.
The fee, levied by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), applies to helicopter services transporting personnel and equipment to offshore platforms, drilling rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, and related aerodromes. Industry representatives stated that enforcing the charge—estimated at approximately $300 per landing—in its current form could impede the efficient movement of vital resources and personnel, potentially affecting Nigeria’s energy supply chain. They called for clearer regulatory guidance to avoid operational delays.
In response, Keyamo mandated an immediate two-month enforcement hiatus to facilitate further dialogue. He also approved the creation of an inter-ministerial committee with members from both the aviation and petroleum sectors. This committee is tasked with reviewing stakeholder concerns and formulating a sustainable framework that balances aviation oversight with the logistical demands of offshore oil operations.
The helicopter landing fee has long been a point of contention between regulators and the oil and gas sector. Operators have consistently argued that the levy increases operational costs and threatens the reliability of crew transfers, logistics support, and emergency response services that are fundamental to offshore production. Both ministers underscored the need for ongoing collaboration to ensure policies support safe aviation standards while safeguarding Nigeria’s oil output.
The temporary suspension aims to prevent immediate disruption while a permanent resolution is negotiated. The inter-ministerial committee’s recommendations are expected to shape a revised approach that addresses industry viability without compromising regulatory authority, with implications for the stability of one of Africa’s largest energy sectors.
