Nigeria’s airspace regulator is cracking down on oil and gas companies for refusing to pay helicopter landing charges, threatening serious sanctions that could disrupt access to offshore operations.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has given the companies a seven-day deadline to submit payment plans for outstanding $300-per-landing helicopter fees or face consequences—including denial of flight permits and potential facility closures.
According to a statement issued Tuesday, NAMA said it has been working with Naebi Dynamic Concepts Ltd since 2022 to enforce the fee under provisions of the NAMA Act. Despite repeated efforts and written notices, compliance remains poor.
Officials blamed the defiance on the influence of unnamed individuals reportedly encouraging companies to flout regulations.
“These landing levies are not unique to Nigeria,” NAMA said, noting that similar practices are observed in other ICAO member countries. The fees, they added, are critical to maintaining the nation’s air navigation infrastructure—especially in remote areas where helicopters frequently operate.
The agency emphasized its exclusive authority to manage air navigation services across Nigeria, including offshore oil platforms, rigs, helipads, and private aerodromes. It warned that operators who continue to default could lose their flight clearances unless they pay or secure the debts.
In cases where facilities are running without NAMA approval, the agency said it would seek the transport minister’s authorization to shut them down or relocate them.
This marks an escalation in a long-running dispute over the helicopter landing fees, which were introduced in 2024 but faced immediate backlash from the oil and aviation industries. Critics called the charges excessive and claimed there had been little consultation prior to implementation.
Though the levy was temporarily paused, NAMA in May 2025 instructed its enforcement partner, Naebi Dynamic, to resume collections immediately. The agency insists the revenue is necessary to fund safety systems and navigation tools amid rising helicopter and drone activity.
With NAMA now threatening enforcement, industry insiders warn that non-compliance could delay transport of oil workers and disrupt production schedules.
