FG Retains $300 Helicopter Levy Per Landing

…Exempts Offshore Oil Platforms From Terminal Navigational Charges

The Federal Government has retained the $300 helicopter levy payable per landing for air navigational services but exempted landings at private offshore oil and gas facilities from the Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC).

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) disclosed this in a circular dated August 28, 2026, signed by its Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.

The circular followed the outcome of a Ministerial Review Committee constituted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development on March 9, 2026, to review concerns raised by upstream petroleum stakeholders over the introduction, structure and implementation of the helicopter levy.

The committee comprised representatives of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, NUPRC, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and NAMA’s appointed collection consultant.

Following its review, the committee resolved that the $300 levy per landing would remain in force and continue to be payable to NAMA through its approved collection mechanism.

However, it clarified that the TNC would apply only to helicopter landings at government-owned aerodromes.

The charge would therefore not apply to landings at private offshore facilities or platforms operated in support of upstream petroleum activities.

According to the NUPRC, the TNC would remain applicable to helicopter operations not undertaken in support of upstream petroleum operations, including medical evacuation, private charter and agricultural operations.

The clarification is expected to provide greater certainty for oil and gas operators and helicopter service providers in determining the charges applicable to offshore petroleum operations.

The committee also resolved that the $300 levy would be treated as a statutory air navigation charge for cost-reporting purposes.

The NUPRC said it would communicate the applicable classification and reporting requirements through relevant instruments, including the treatment of any cost element previously recorded in respect of the TNC for upstream helicopter services.

The review further directed NAMA to deploy low-altitude flight monitoring and surveillance systems to strengthen national security and airspace governance.

Under the arrangement, flight manifests, movement logs and offshore activity data would be required as part of the monitoring process.

The NUPRC said NAMA would communicate the specific requirements relating to the monitoring and surveillance systems.

In another significant decision, the committee stated that no new or revised fee, levy or charge having a direct impact on upstream petroleum operations should be introduced without prior consultation with the NUPRC and other relevant stakeholders.

The Commission said the requirement was in line with Section 25 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

The provision is expected to strengthen consultation between aviation authorities and the upstream petroleum regulator before the introduction or adjustment of charges affecting oil and gas operations.

The NUPRC consequently directed all upstream petroleum operators, licensees, lessees and their helicopter service providers to take note of the decisions and align their contractual, invoicing and cost-recovery arrangements accordingly.

The helicopter levy had generated concerns among upstream stakeholders over its financial implications and the distinction between the levy and existing navigational charges.

The latest clarification effectively maintains the $300-per-landing levy while drawing a distinction between the levy and the TNC, particularly for helicopter movements between onshore locations and privately operated offshore oil and gas facilities.

For upstream operators, the decision means that while the statutory $300 levy remains payable for each landing, they should not be subjected to the TNC for landings at private offshore petroleum facilities or platforms.