Lagos, Nigeria | September 17, 2025
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has called for an upward review of the current ₦11,000 charge imposed on airlines per flight, arguing that the fee is outdated, unsustainable, and inadequate to cover the cost of providing safe and efficient air navigation services across the country.
Speaking on Tuesday, senior officials of the agency explained that the ₦11,000 tariff, which has remained unchanged for several years, no longer reflects the economic realities of maintaining Nigeria’s vast airspace infrastructure, including air traffic control systems, surveillance equipment, and navigational aids.
They emphasized that the charges being paid by airlines fall far below international benchmarks, leaving NAMA unable to meet rising operational costs, particularly in the face of inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and increased costs of technology upgrades.
“Managing a modern airspace requires significant investments in technology and manpower. The current fee structure is no longer viable if we are to ensure safety and efficiency in line with global aviation standards,” one official noted.
Industry stakeholders say the proposed review, if approved, could translate to additional costs for airlines, potentially impacting ticket prices for passengers. However, NAMA insists that safety and sustainability must take priority, adding that enhanced revenue would help Nigeria strengthen its compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements.
The agency is expected to engage with the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, as well as airlines and other stakeholders, before a final decision is made on the review.
Aviation experts have welcomed the conversation, stressing that while affordability for airlines and passengers remains key, Nigeria must balance cost recovery with the need to maintain world-class air navigation services.
