NAMA Pushes for Review of N11,000 Flight Levy, Citing Rising Aviation Costs
Story: written by Uzuh Rita September 17,2025
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has urged the federal government to approve an upward review of the N11,000 fee currently charged per flight, arguing that the rate is no longer realistic in today’s economy.
Farouk Umar, director-general of NAMA, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a retreat themed “Emerging Trends in Global Aviation: Sustainability, Technology and Digital Transformation” for members of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.
Umar explained that the fee, introduced in 2008, has remained stagnant for 17 years despite rising costs across the aviation industry. He noted that while the Lagos–Abuja route attracts just N11,000 per flight, economy tickets have surged from about N16,000 in 2008 to between N150,000 and N200,000 today.
“We cannot keep modernising our facilities to meet international standards while still receiving outdated charges,” Umar said. “The airlines understand this imbalance but have refused to acknowledge it.”
The NAMA boss emphasized that the agency is structured as a cost-recovery institution and has invested heavily in surveillance, landing, and communication technologies to ensure safer skies.
He further revealed that previous attempts to negotiate a new charge with airline operators have not been successful.
In his remarks, Abdullahi Garba, chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, said the retreat was aimed at deepening collaboration to reposition Nigeria’s aviation sector for global competitiveness.
