FG Halts Helicopter Landing Fee Enforcement for Two Months

FG Halts Helicopter Landing Fee Enforcement for Two Months

The recent announcement by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, marks a significant pause in the enforcement of helicopter landing fees across the country.

In a statement released on March 10, 2026, Keyamo confirmed that the Federal Government has suspended the collection of these fees for two months, following extensive consultations with stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.

The decision emerged from a high-level meeting in Abuja between Keyamo and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), alongside a delegation from the oil industry.

This delegation included the CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, as well as representatives of international oil companies (IOCs), the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG).

Their collective concern centered on the potential disruption that strict enforcement of landing fees could cause to oil field operations, terminals, rigs, floating production storage and offloading units (FPSOs), and other aviation-linked facilities.

On the aviation side, Keyamo was joined by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and officials from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Together, both teams deliberated on the implications of the fees, particularly their impact on the operational efficiency of oil companies that rely heavily on helicopter transport for offshore and remote operations.

The suspension is not a cancellation but a temporary measure. Keyamo emphasized that an inter-ministerial committee will be established to further examine the issue and propose a balanced resolution that accommodates both the government’s revenue interests and the operational realities of the oil sector.

This move reflects a pragmatic approach to policymaking, recognizing the need for dialogue and compromise in industries where aviation and energy intersect.

In the broader context, the suspension underscores the government’s willingness to engage stakeholders before enforcing policies that could have far-reaching economic consequences. It also highlights the delicate balance between regulatory enforcement and sustaining critical industries like oil and gas, which remain central to Nigeria’s economy.

The next two months will be crucial in determining whether consensus can be reached on a sustainable framework for helicopter landing fees, one that ensures compliance without jeopardizing vital operations.