President Bola Tinubu has approved a 30 per cent discount on outstanding statutory fees owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies in a move aimed at easing financial pressure in the aviation sector.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the decision in Abuja, noting that the directive was conveyed through the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
According to him, the relief applies to accumulated debts owed to aviation agencies, including parking charges payable to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), navigational fees owed to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and other regulatory obligations.
Keyamo said the intervention is part of broader efforts by the federal government to cushion the impact of rising Jet A1 fuel costs, which have significantly increased operational expenses for domestic airlines.
He added that the policy is designed to stabilise airline operations, safeguard the aviation industry, and ensure the continued sustainability of air transport services across Nigeria.
In a related development, Keyamo also announced that Nigeria has achieved a 91.45 per cent safety rating from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following its most recent audit.
He said the assessment was conducted at the headquarters of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Abuja and represents the country’s highest safety score since participation in ICAO audits began.
The minister noted that the rating places Nigeria above the West African regional average of 61.1 per cent and the global average of 70.4 per cent, strengthening its aviation safety profile internationally.
According to him, the improved rating is expected to boost investor confidence, enhance Nigeria’s global aviation reputation, and attract more international partnerships and investments into the sector.
ICAO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, oversees global aviation safety standards through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, which evaluates member states’ compliance with international safety requirements.
Nigeria has undergone four major ICAO safety audits since 1999, with performance measured through its Effective Implementation score, which reflects the strength of its aviation safety oversight system.