Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has suspended the enforcement of the $30 helicopter landing fees for oil companies operating in the country and also directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to implement hybrid toll payment method at airports.
This decision to suspend the landing fees follows concerns raised by petroleum industry stakeholders that the fees could disrupt critical operations in the sector.
Keyamo’s decision is a follow up to the suspension of the full cashless Access Gate payment system as directed by President Bola Tinubu, due to the traffic gridlock it created.
The minister said the $30 payment suspension is effective for an initial period of two months, and both the aviation and petroleum ministries have reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration in ensuring regulatory policies support operational efficiency in their sectors.
The minister said an inter-ministerial committee will be set up to review the issue and work towards a resolution acceptable to all stakeholders.
The impact of this decision is significant, as helicopter services are crucial for transporting personnel and equipment to offshore oil installations.
The suspension aims to prevent disruptions to oil production, which could have far-reaching economic consequences.
The oil and gas industry is a vital contributor to Nigeria’s economy, and any disruptions could affect the country’s revenue and economic growth.
The fees – $30 per landing is prescribed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to helicopter operations on oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, and other facilities.
At a meeting in Abuja, the Minister and senior officials of the Ministry, after reviewing the initial implementation and the operational challenges of the cashless gate payment, the Ministry resolved to engage concessionaires in order to introduce a fully automated or electronic system at all access gates at airports in order to fully and eventually eliminate cash payments.
He said: ” In the meantime, a hybrid payment system that accommodates both cash and card payments will resume at all airport access gates with effect from Friday, March 13, 2026.
Motorists who already possess “FAAN Go Cashless Cards may continue to use them until further notice. Other electronic payment options, including PoS terminals and other approved digital channels, will also remain available.
“Members of the public and road users are encouraged to obtain and use the FAAN Go Cashless Card as the Authority continues to enhance and fully optimise the cashless payment system.”
Keyamo said the directive restores the previous access gate payment arrangement whilst the Ministry continues to work on the fully automated or electronic system.
