FG suspends $300 helicopter landing levy

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Friday, announced the temporary suspension of the controversial $300 helicopter landing fee.

The decision came after the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, rejected the fee, insisting that it was commercially injurious.

A statement by the spokesman of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, said a committee has been charged to look into the issues raised by concerned stakeholders and submit a report before the end of June.

The statement reads, “Following a meeting with the AON executive on the issue bordering on Helicopter landing levies collection at Aerodromes, Helipads, Air Strips, etc, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has temporarily suspended the enforcement granted Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd, by the Federal Government, as consultants to collect such levies.

“The suspension is with effect from 30th May, 2024. This, the Minister said, is a result of clamor for review by some stakeholders in the industry.

“Accordingly, Keyamo has constituted a Committee with members drawn up from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its relevant Agencies, Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, International Oil Companies, IOCs, and Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd who are charged to look into the issues raised by concerned Stakeholders and submit a Report on or before end of June 2024.

“Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd was granted the exclusive right by the Federal Government as consultants to collect such levies which stakeholders have expressed their reservation on the appropriateness of the levies. The recommendation of the Committee would proffer a way forward.”