NAMA: Private Jet Operators Complying with New Aviation Charges

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA), Mr. Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, Wednesday said a great number of private jet operators had complied with the payment of the newly-introduced charges and were, therefore, carrying out their non-scheduled flight operation without hindrance. Making the clarification in a statement made available to journalists, Udoh said: “For the purpose of emphasis, all foreign registered aircraft engaging in non-scheduled operations would pay $3,000 while Nigerian registered counterparts will pay $ 2,500 for every departure. Round trips without changes in passenger manifest will however attract no additional charge.” Udoh, while also reacting to a newspaper publication on the issue, added: “Our attention has been drawn to a misleading news story in some newspapers today alleging that non- scheduled airlines (private jet operators) have shut down their operations in protest against the new aviation charges introduced for the use of general aviation terminals at the nation’s airports.” According to him, the allegation in the publication was false, adding that non-scheduled operators were
still operating their normal flights at our various airports. The few operators who could not operate are those who are yet to comply with the new regime.
He said: “As of midday today, more
than 30 operators have paid the requisite fee and are freely enjoying our services. The charges are in compliance with section 30(2) (9) and (c) of the Civil Aviation Act of 2006.” The charges, Udo added, were jointly collected on behalf of all the agencies that provide services at our newly-constructed and designated private terminals in Lagos, Abuja and 11 other airports, where these private terminals would be constructed. “In the past, non-scheduled airlines paid different charges to different aviation agencies for the services they render them, with the attendant bottlenecks associated with such arrangement. Today, when a non-scheduled airline pays this new charge, it does not need to pay other separate charges to any of the service-providing agencies anymore.
“The new charges constitute a luxury tax, which is acceptable internationally for the type of services offered by private jet operators, and it is used to maintain highly exclusive facilities provided at these luxury terminals, including limousine services (as in the case of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja). “All the necessary notification was done through the issuance of AIC and newspaper advertorials two months ago. The consultations resulted in the downward review from $5,000 and $4,000 to $3,000 and $2,500 for foreign and local operators’ respectively.” he said.