Photo File: The Director General of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Farouk Umar

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says the N11,000 per-flight charge it collects from airlines is no longer sustainable in view of rising economic pressures and the soaring cost of maintaining aviation infrastructure.

Director-General Farouk Umar stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ summit organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, themed “Emerging Trends in Global Aviation: Sustainability, Technology and Digital Transformation.”

He explained that the fee unchanged since 2008, is charged per flight rather than per passenger, citing as an example a Lagos–Abuja service where airlines pay only N11,000 regardless of the number of passengers carried.

“In 2008, NAMA was collecting N11,000 per flight. From then till now, airfares have risen significantly, with economy tickets now ranging between N150,000 and N200,000, yet we are still charging the same N11,000,” Umar said.

He stressed that NAMA is a cost-recovery agency, not a charity, and must recoup the money invested in procuring and upgrading landing, surveillance and communication systems.

According to him, NAMA has invested heavily in state-of-the-art facilities, including upgraded Instrument Landing Systems, modern radar surveillance and enhanced communications to align Nigeria’s aviation sector with global safety standards. The cost of procuring, installing and maintaining these facilities has, however, grown exponentially due to inflation, exchange-rate pressures and global supply-chain disruptions.

“We keep modernizing to ensure Nigeria is not left behind in global aviation development. Yet, the airlines are still paying us peanuts. The world needs to know, and the airlines need to face reality. We cannot continue this way,” he insisted.

Airlines resist

Umar said the agency has made several attempts to engage airlines on the need for a fee review but operators have resisted. He argued that this was unfair, especially as carriers frequently increase ticket fares to reflect rising operational costs.

“The airlines have not been fair to the agency. They respond to economic circumstances by raising ticket prices, but they do not want to understand that we also operate in the same economy. We go to the same markets to procure equipment. Safety is at stake if we cannot recover costs,” he said.

He emphasised that the agency’s charges are not for profit but strictly for cost recovery to ensure safe, reliable and modern air-navigation services.

Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Abdullahi Garba, stressed the importance of collaboration in developing a stronger sector. Represented by his deputy, Festus Akingbaso, he described the summit as a critical step toward strengthening aviation’s foundation.

“Our goal is to develop actionable plans and reinforce priorities that enhance aviation safety, infrastructure and regulatory compliance,” he said, adding that parliament remains committed to supporting NAMA and other agencies in addressing funding challenges provided they can demonstrate transparency and efficiency.

Nigeria’s aviation sector faces a dilemma: airlines struggle with high operational costs while regulators grapple with shrinking budgets to maintain critical infrastructure. Unlike in many advanced economies, where airspace management charges reflect actual operational costs, Nigeria’s rates have remained flat for 16 years.

In countries such as the United States, Canada and across Europe, en-route and terminal navigation charges are pegged to aircraft size, distance and other parameters, ensuring full cost recovery. By contrast, Nigeria’s flat N11,000 charge per flight undercuts the real cost of providing air-navigation services. Analysts warn the disparity undermines NAMA’s sustainability and poses safety risks if reinvestment falters.

Airline operators argue that any hike in regulatory charges would worsen their already fragile finances. With rising fuel costs, foreign-exchange shortages and multiple taxes across government tiers, many carriers say they are operating on thin margins. They fear that higher charges could push ticket prices up further, burdening Nigerian travelers who already pay some of the highest airfares in Africa.

Industry stakeholders therefore urge a balanced approach, one that allows NAMA to recover its costs without pushing airlines or passengers to breaking point.