AON trustee slams $300 helicopter landing fee By Olasunkanmi Akinlotan
A new $300 landing fee imposed on helicopters servicing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has drawn sharp criticism from aviation stakeholders.
Roland Iyayi, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and President of Topbrass Aviation, described the fee as “poorly conceived” and an unfair financial burden on operators. Speaking at a press briefing, Iyayi argued that the charge lacks proper legislative and regulatory backing.
The fee is being collected by NAEBI Dynamic Concept Limited in partnership with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Iyayi questioned the role of NAEBI, stating that the company neither provides infrastructure nor any tangible service, yet seeks to profit from operators by leveraging NAMA’s existing facilities.
He further pointed out that helicopter operators already meet their tax and regulatory obligations, and introducing additional fees would only worsen the industry’s cost structure and discourage investment.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between aviation regulators, private service providers, and operators over rising charges in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
