The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has explained the Federal Government’s decision to temporarily suspend the $300 helicopter landing fee imposed on oil and gas operations, citing concerns from industry stakeholders over its potential impact on critical petroleum activities.
Keyamo disclosed on Tuesday that the directive followed a high-level meeting held in Abuja on Monday with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, alongside representatives of key regulatory agencies and industry groups.
Participants at the meeting included officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria, the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG).
Officials from the aviation sector were also in attendance, among them the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Umar Farouk; and senior executives from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
According to Keyamo, the meeting was convened after stakeholders in the oil and gas sector raised concerns about the enforcement of the helicopter landing fee introduced by NAMA.
“The team from the oil industry came to raise their concerns regarding the enforcement of the helicopter landing fee prescribed by NAMA for the IOCs in respect of all their helicopter operations on oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities, heliports, helipads, airstrips, and aerodromes,” the minister wrote on his verified X account.
He noted that industry players warned the continued enforcement of the statutory charge could disrupt vital operations in the sector, particularly helicopter services used for crew transportation and logistics support at offshore facilities.
The $300 landing fee applies to helicopter operations servicing oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading facilities, and other aviation infrastructure used in petroleum activities.
Following deliberations, Keyamo directed the suspension of the enforcement and collection of the fee for an initial period of two months.
He also announced the immediate establishment of an inter-ministerial committee made up of representatives from the aviation and petroleum sectors to further examine the concerns raised by stakeholders and develop a mutually acceptable framework for the levy.
Both ministers emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the aviation and petroleum sectors, noting that the two industries remain critical pillars of Nigeria’s economy.
Keyamo added that the temporary suspension would provide relief to operators while government works toward a balanced regulatory approach that supports industry operations without undermining aviation oversight.
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