The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has criticised the planned $11.50 charge scheduled to begin on December 1, stating that the levy originated from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) but is being announced and enforced through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The operators described the latest charge as an added strain on an already overburdened aviation sector, noting that although the fee will be passed on to passengers, the cumulative effect of numerous charges continues to cripple airlines.
AON spokesperson and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, voiced his concerns during a media briefing on Wednesday. He lamented what he called an “overwhelming and unsustainable” number of levies placed on domestic airlines, arguing that the industry is being suffocated by taxes imposed by different government agencies.
Okonkwo said operators are expected to bear the financial consequences of every regulatory action, describing the new $11.50 levy as another example of poor policy alignment across aviation and immigration agencies.
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“Aviation has become an elephant that everyone is feeding from while operators struggle to survive,” he said. “We already pay $20 for security yet no one can point to the actual security service rendered. Now immigration is introducing another $11.50. How can airlines survive with this level of multiple taxation?”
He recalled the controversy surrounding the earlier $20 security charge, alleging that the funds collected over the years were diverted from their intended purpose. According to him, money meant for security was instead used for unrelated corporate activities, which he described as misleading and deceptive.
Okonkwo appealed to the federal government to support local carriers, noting that major global airlines receive backing from their governments to remain competitive and financially stable.
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Nigeria !