The Nigerian government has retained the $300 helicopter levy per landing for oil and gas upstream operators and other sectors, following a review of air navigation service charges in the country.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) disclosed this in a circular released on Monday, stating that the US$300 levy remains payable to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) through its approved collection mechanism.
The decision followed a review by a ministerial committee constituted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to examine the helicopter levy for air navigation services in Nigeria.
Following concerns raised by industry operators, the committee retained the $300 levy per landing but reviewed the Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC) and clarified where it applies.
According to NUPRC, the TNC is payable only for a landing at a government-owned aerodrome and does not apply to a landing at a private offshore facility or platform.
The commission said the $300 helicopter levy remains payable to NAMA under its approved collection mechanism, while the TNC does not apply to landings at private offshore facilities or platforms.
NUPRC stated: “Following concerns raised by the industry, the levy of US$300 (Three Hundred United States Dollars) per landing is retained and remains payable to NAMA through its approved collection mechanism.”
The commission added that the TNC remains applicable to helicopter operations not undertaken in support of upstream petroleum operations.
The clarification is expected to provide greater certainty for operators, particularly those involved in offshore helicopter operations, on the charges applicable to government-owned aerodromes and private offshore facilities.
