The Director General of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, has declared that the N11,000 charged airlines per flight by the agency is no longer sustainable in light of current economic realities.

He made this known on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing stakeholders at a retreat of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation with the theme: “Emerging Trends in Global Aviation; Sustainability, Technology and Digital Transformation.”

Umar lamented that the charge, which has been in place since 2008, had become grossly inadequate.

“In 2008, NAMA was collecting N11,000 and I need to explain this so the public can understand. “When I say N11,000, it’s per flight. For example, from Lagos to Abuja, we are charging N11,000 for the whole flight. That means irrespective of the number of passengers on board, we are not charging per passenger.

“Because that was the blackmail they wanted to use against us when we first raised the issue about two years ago. We said, no, you are not being fair. You know the truth but you are trying to twist it. At that time, airlines were collecting N16,000 per economy ticket, not even business class.

“Now, from 2008 to date, you and I know they are charging almost N150,000, or between N150,000 and N200,000 for an economy ticket. Yet we are still stuck at N11,000. We are a cost-recovery agency, and we are supposed to recover from what we have invested. We have spent massively on improved landing systems, surveillance systems, communication systems, and continuous modernization. Yet they keep paying us peanuts. The world needs to know, and the airlines must face reality. We cannot continue this way,” he said.

Responding to questions on engagement with the airlines, the NAMA boss said several attempts had been made to draw their attention to the need for a review.

“There’s a need for us to sit down with them. It is part of our requirement to engage and explain why we must review these charges,” he stressed.

“The truth is, the airlines have not been fair to the agency because we are not a charity organization. We are a cost-recovery agency. They adjust to prevailing economic circumstances in setting fares, yet they don’t want to understand that we also operate within the same economy.

“We procure equipment at huge costs, and all we are asking is to recover what we have invested in their services so that safety is not compromised. Unfortunately, the airlines, who know better, prefer to continue paying peanuts while charging passengers appropriate fares,” he added

Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, described the retreat as a crucial collaboration toward improving Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Festus Akingbaso Garba said the engagement would strengthen participants’ understanding of airspace management and legislative oversight.

“Our goal is to develop actionable plans and reinforce priorities that enhance aviation safety, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance,” he said.” (Daily Trust)