Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Announces Major Fee Hikes: Airfare Prices Expected to Surge

 

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has announced a substantial increase in its service fees, which is set to significantly impact airfare prices. The new rates, effective immediately, include an 800 percent increase in the cost for extending service hours, raising the fee from N50,000 to N450,000 per extension. Additionally, the rates for en-route and terminal navigation charges will be revised to N18,000 and N54,000 per flight, up from the previous fees of N2,000 and N6,000 respectively.

Umar Farouk, Managing Director of NAMA, revealed these changes during a briefing with the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Abuja on Friday. Farouk explained that the adjustment in fees is necessary to sustain the agency’s operational effectiveness and ensure the safety of Nigeria’s airspace.

“The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency relies heavily on statutory fees to manage the airspace effectively,” Farouk stated. “These funds are critical for maintaining and upgrading our equipment and services. Our costs, including those for procurement and training, have risen sharply. Although we understand the challenging economic environment, the proposed fee increase is essential for our continued operation and safety assurance.”

Currently, the cost for a domestic flight from Abuja to Lagos ranges between N105,000 to N150,000, depending on the airline. International flights, such as those from Abuja to London, are priced between N1.5 million and N1.63 million. With the new fee structure, passengers can expect a significant increase in these prices.

Farouk noted that the fee adjustments are designed to cover rising operational costs, including the expense of diesel and other logistical requirements associated with extended service hours. He emphasized that despite the economic pressures faced by the aviation sector, the fee hikes are necessary to ensure NAMA’s ability to maintain a safe and efficient airspace.

The impending increase in airfare could have broad implications for the aviation industry and travelers, highlighting the need for adjustments in both domestic and international flight costs.