The Federal Government has reinstated a $300 per helicopter landing levy for air navigational services provided across the country.
In a circular dated August 28, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) formally notified upstream petroleum operators, licensees, lessees, and helicopter service providers of the levy’s reintroduction.
The NUPRC clarified that oil and gas companies will not be required to pay the Terminal Navigation Charge (TNC) for landings executed on private offshore platforms.
The commission noted that this policy structure followed consultations addressing concerns raised by upstream stakeholders regarding the initial scope, structure, and implementation of the helicopter landing levy.
The circular, signed by NUPRC Chief Executive Officer Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, noted that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development established a ministerial review committee on March 9 to examine the levy.
The committee comprised representatives from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the NUPRC, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and NAMA’s designated collection consultant.
Following the review, NUPRC said the committee resolved that the $300 levy per landing should be retained.
TNC applies only to landings at govt-owned aerodromes.
The committee also made it clear that the TNC only covers landings at government-owned aerodromes, according to NUPRC.
According to the circular, “The Terminal Navigational Charge (“TNC”) is payable only in respect of a landing at a government-owned aerodrome and does not apply to a landing at a private offshore facility or platform,”
Additionally, the NUPRC stated that helicopter operations outside the upstream petroleum sector—including private charters, medical evacuations, and agricultural services—will remain subject to the Terminal Navigation Charge (TNC).
The commission added that the $300 fee will be classified as a statutory air navigation charge for cost-reporting purposes.
It further noted that guidelines regarding reporting, categorization, and the accounting treatment of upstream helicopter service costs previously billed under the TNC will be formally communicated.
Additionally, NAMA will deploy low-altitude flight monitoring and surveillance infrastructure to enhance airspace management and national security.
The commission instructed all upstream petroleum operators, licensees, lessees and their helicopter service providers to align their contracts, invoices and cost-recovery plans with the rulings.
Backstory…
Recall that federal government put a two-month halt on the enforcement of helicopter landing fees on March 10.
One month after the fee was approved, in May 2024, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development stated that the helicopter landing levy was temporarily stopped due to opposition from stakeholders.
Later that year, the levy was reinstated, however, it was not disclosed to the public.
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