Helicopter Operators To Suspend Operations Over Landing Fees

Helicopter operators threaten to cease operations due to increased landing fees
FG grants exclusive right to NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited for collecting Helicopter Landing Levies nationwide
Aero Contractors’ CEO warns of potential shutdowns or legal actions, citing lack of justification for the fee hike.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that follow the Federal Government’s decision to exclusively assign NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited the authority to collect Helicopter Landing Levies across all aerodromes in the nation, helicopter operators have issued a threat to halt operations in response to the heightened landing fees imposed by the government.

Mr. Ado Sanusi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, conveyed to the press that operators might either suspend their operations in protest of the increase or pursue legal recourse.

He emphasized that the landing charge lacked justification as operators already compensate for the services provided to them.

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He said the helipads where helicopters land and take off in offshore operations were owned by international oil companies, explaining that because it was not the property of the federal government, operators pay their due charges to aviation agencies.

He said: “I don’t think it is a good thing to do because the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, recommended that service providers in the aviation industry, which are government agencies, should engage in cost recovery, but unfortunately government has turned the agencies to profit-making organisations in the aviation industry.”

“Sanusi argued that security and knowing all the helipads in Nigeria was a duty of the National Security Adviser, NSA, the Air Force and related security agencies, insisting that it had nothing to do with civil aviation.

Recall that in a memo recently released by the Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo, and directed to all operators and stakeholders of civilian helicopter operators in Nigeria, the Minister granted exclusive right to NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited to collect Helicopter Landing Levies.

The memo read in part: “It is imperative that all operators and stakeholders fully comply with this mandate, by granting total access to Messrs NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited for the collection of this levy, effective immediately.

“Non-compliance with this directive will constitute a breach of this mandate and will be met with appropriate sanction.”