FG reinstates $300 helicopter levy, oil companies to bear cost 

This development was revealed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday.

The Minister explained that while helicopter operators initially protested the fee, they eventually agreed to its implementation after engaging in dialogue.

However, the operators insisted they should not bear the cost themselves, since they lease their helicopters to oil companies.

They argued that absorbing the levy would force them to raise their charter fees, which would ultimately impact the oil companies that hire their services.

“The airline operators that protested were part of that committee. So I told them, unless you reach an agreement with the airline operators, I will not go on with this. So the airline operators went into dialogue with them.  

“And they did agree at the end of the day. Airline operators have agreed and signed. I have the document agreeing to the fee,” Keyamo stated.

He added, “But they (helicopter operators) said, they will not be the ones paying. Because they rent their helicopters out to oil companies. If you pass it on to them, they have to increase their charter fee. So now, the last vestige of this is now the oil companies.” 

The Aviation Minister, however, revealed that oil companies have raised objections to absorbing the levy, leading him to establish a committee to address their concerns.

Minister Festus Keyamo explained that the offshore helicopter landing levy was introduced before his tenure, under agreements signed by the previous administration.

Following a detailed review, a committee including airline and helicopter operators confirmed the levy aligns with international standards and should continue. However, they agreed that payment responsibility should shift from helicopter operators to the oil companies that lease the helicopters.

The Minister emphasized that this levy is government revenue and not private profit.