NUPENGASSAN demands withdrawal of landing charges on helicopter operators
Petroleum workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (NUPENGASSAN) have called for the immediate withdrawal of the recently introduced landing fees imposed on helicopter operators, especially those servicing the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
The leadership of both unions in a statement signed by their general secretaries, Comrade Afolabi Olawale and Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa in Abuja, expressed concerns over the new development, which they described as a threat to the nation’s economic growth and development.
The petroleum unions warned that should the Federal Government fail to swiftly withdraw the charges, they may not be able to guarantee industry harmony.
The statement reads: “We strongly condemn this decision by the Federal Ministry of Aviation to impose exorbitant fees on helicopter operators during this period of economic hardship on businesses and the citizenry.
“We recall that a recent memo directed helicopter operators to compulsorily pay for helicopter landing fees at all Nigerian aerodromes’ helipads, airstrips, floating production storage, and offloading (FPSO) units, floating storage and offloading (FSO) units, and other oil platforms to generate more revenue to the Federal Government.
“This is very insensitive at a time the Federal Government is shopping for investors in the oil and gas industry and muting various incentives to make the industry attractive. “The oil and gas industry is a critical component of Nigeria’s economy, and the helicopter operators serving this sector play a vital role in its success.
“This unpopular decision has a detrimental impact on the sector, as this incremental cost is going to be passed on to the chartering companies who will in turn transfer the burden to the employees in the sector. We hereby demand the withdrawal of this policy immediately in the overall interest of the country.”
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development had earlier justified its reason for introducing a $300 landing fee on helicopter operators, saying it is a cost recovery measure that aligns with international best practices
The ministry explained that the move would improve capacity, safety, and security and attract more investment in the aviation industry, and said helicopter landing levies were common across airfields in developed countries.
The Head of press and public affairs, FMAAD, Odutayo Oluseyi, in a statement, said the fee would enable the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, to generate resources that would enable it to enhance security and improve the overall quality of helicopter operations.
The statement reads: “The Ministry of Aviation recognises the importance of helicopter operations in Nigeria’s aviation industry and is committed to implementing international best practices in helicopter operations through its agency, the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, NAMA. The introduction of helicopter landing levies, which is in line with international best practices to enhance the quality of helicopter operations, is a cost recovery measure.
“Helicopter landing levies are commonplace in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and various regions worldwide. For instance, Tallahassee International Airport in Florida began implementing helicopter landing levies under Vector Airport Systems on October 1, 2022. Helicopter landing levies are common across airfields in the United Kingdom, ranging from major commercial ones to small general aviation fields. Typically, helicopter levies match or exceed those for fixed-wing aircraft, varying based on factors like location and services provided.
“The federal government has granted NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited exclusive rights to collect helicopter landing levies in line with the MoU between NAEBI Concept and NAMA (focal Agency), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). It is instructive to note that NAMA under the Act as amended in 2022 is empowered to collect aeronautical revenues in both the upper and lower airspace to support her self-sustainability.
“However, over the years NAMA has predominantly relied on the upper airspace for its revenue generation. Government in its wisdom, having discovered a lacuna in the lower airspace where helicopter operations are dominant, directed NAMA to live up to its responsibilities to enable them to generate enough resources to sustain their aeronautical architecture, enhance security and surveillance and improve the overall quality of helicopter operations in Nigeria.
“We are confident that this move will improve capacity, efficiency, safety, and security, and attract more investment in the aviation industry. We encourage all stakeholders to be committed to this laudable initiative that has followed due processes and procedures, and should embrace the new normal.”
