President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 30 per cent discount on outstanding debts owed by domestic airlines to key federal aviation agencies, in a move aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s struggling aviation sector.
Newsonspot gathered that the announcement was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who described the intervention as critical to preventing a potential shutdown of airline operations across the country.
The decision comes after sustained pressure from the Airline Operators of Nigeria, which had warned of an imminent industry collapse due to the sharp rise in the cost of Jet A1 fuel. The price of aviation fuel reportedly surged from ₦900 to ₦3,300 per litre, placing a heavy financial burden on operators.
Under the approved relief, the 30 per cent waiver will apply to accumulated statutory charges owed to major aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for parking and landing fees, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) for navigational and terminal charges, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for regulatory levies.
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The presidential directive was conveyed through the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a high-level engagement between government officials and airline stakeholders.
The policy is expected to achieve several key objectives, including preventing a complete shutdown of domestic flights, stabilising rising airfares, and enabling airlines to channel limited resources toward essential safety checks and aircraft maintenance.
Prior to the intervention, the aviation industry had raised serious concerns, with some operators threatening to suspend operations. Industry leaders, including Allen Onyema, had called for a full waiver of all debts, citing high operating costs and interest rates as major challenges affecting Nigerian airlines.
While the approved 30 per cent relief falls short of the requested total waiver, stakeholders believe it offers much-needed breathing space for operators navigating one of the most difficult periods in the sector.
