The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has clarified that its tariff for airlines has remained unchanged at N11,000 per flight since 2008. Farouk Umar, the Director General of NAMA, revealed this information during a recent summit organized by lawmakers. According to Umar, the current tariff is no longer sustainable due to economic realities and the increasing cost of maintaining aviation infrastructure.
Umar expressed disappointment at the airlines’ opposition to NAMA’s proposal to increase the tariff, describing it as unfair. He pointed out that while airfares have significantly risen over the years, with economy tickets now ranging between N150,000 and N200,000, the agency’s tariff has remained static at N11,000 per flight. Umar emphasized that the airlines have not been fair to the agency, given the substantial increase in airfares since 2008.
The Nigerian airline operators, however, have pushed back against the proposed tariff hike, arguing that it would lead to increased airfares, which would ultimately be borne by passengers. This development comes as the aviation industry continues to grapple with various challenges, including rising operational costs and infrastructure maintenance expenses.
NAMA’s tariff has been a subject of discussion in recent times, with the agency advocating for an increase to reflect current economic realities. The proposal has sparked debate within the industry, with airlines citing concerns about the potential impact on airfares and passenger demand. As the regulator, NAMA is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient management of Nigeria’s airspace, and the agency’s tariff is a critical component of its revenue streams.
The stalemate between NAMA and the airlines highlights the need for a balanced approach to tariff setting, one that takes into account the interests of both parties. While NAMA seeks to increase its revenue to maintain and upgrade infrastructure, the airlines are concerned about the potential impact on their operations and passenger demand. The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for the Nigerian aviation industry, and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the issue is resolved.
