The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority are embroiled in a quiet dispute over the sharing formula for the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge, raising wider concerns about the future direction of Nigeria’s aviation industry, OLASUNKANMI AKINLOTAN reports
The proposal before the National Assembly to increase the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s share of the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge has emerged as one of the most contentious issues currently facing Nigeria’s aviation industry.
While labour unions within the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority have said that reducing the regulator’s allocation could weaken safety oversight, various industry experts and supporters of the bill insist that the conversation must also reflect the enormous operational burden carried daily by NAMA.
The controversy centres on a fundamental question: Does the existing funding formula truly reflect the responsibilities and financial demands of the country’s air navigation service provider? An increasing number of aviation professionals believe it does not.
Unlike regulatory agencies focused mainly on certification, inspections and compliance oversight, NAMA is responsible for operating Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure around the clock. Every aircraft flying into, through or out of the country relies on its systems. From the filing of a flight plan to a safe landing, NAMA provides the critical air navigation services that ensure aircraft remain safely guided, connected and separated throughout Nigerian airspace.
