$300 Helicopter Levy Still Payable, NUPRC Says

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has clarified that the $300 helicopter levy for air navigational services remains payable, but the Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC) does not apply to helicopter operations supporting offshore petroleum activities. The commission said the $300 levy remains payable to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). The clarification was contained in a circular signed by the NUPRC Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, following concerns from stakeholders over the introduction and implementation of the levy and other aviation-related charges affecting upstream operations. In response to the concerns, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had constituted a Ministerial Review Committee on March 9 to examine the charges and their application to the sector.

Eyesan said the review established that the TNC does not apply to helicopter landings at private offshore facilities and platforms when the flights are conducted in support of upstream petroleum activities. However, she noted that the charge remains applicable to helicopter operations unrelated to upstream petroleum activities. These include medical evacuations, private charter services and agricultural operations. The NUPRC said the clarification is intended to provide greater certainty for upstream operators by clearly distinguishing helicopter activities supporting offshore petroleum operations from other commercial and private aviation services.

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