The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has defended its decision to review airport charges, stating that most tariffs across Nigerian airports have remained largely unchanged for over two decades, despite rising operational costs, inflation, and the growing demands of modern aviation.
FAAN, which manages 22 airports nationwide, said the planned adjustment is not driven by revenue motives alone but by the urgent need to ensure aviation safety, infrastructure sustainability, and global competitiveness.
“For over 20 years, Nigeria has been running a 2026 aviation system on 2002 prices,” FAAN noted. “The reality is that world-class airports cannot be built, operated, or sustained with outdated tariffs in a rapidly evolving global aviation environment.”
Two Decades of Stagnation Amid Rising Costs
FAAN explained that while airport charges have remained largely static since the early 2000s, the aviation industry has undergone significant transformation. Fuel prices have surged, security requirements have intensified, inflation has eroded revenue value, and maintenance as well as technology costs have doubled or tripled.
Yet, airport tariffs have not been adjusted to reflect these realities, leaving FAAN to operate modern airports using outdated revenue structures.
Rising Operational and Regulatory Obligations
Modern airports, FAAN stressed, are complex ecosystems requiring round-the-clock power supply, advanced security technologies, firefighting and emergency response systems, airfield lighting, runway maintenance, staff training, and continuous certification.
In addition, FAAN must comply with stringent international standards, including ICAO, ISO 14001 (environmental management), and ISO 9001 (service quality). These obligations require heavy capital investment that cannot be sustainably funded without realistic cost-recovery mechanisms.
Bridging Nigeria’s Airport Infrastructure Gap
FAAN highlighted the urgent need for upgrades across many Nigerian airports, including terminal refurbishment, runway and taxiway rehabilitation, boarding bridges, baggage handling systems, apron expansion, power and cooling infrastructure, perimeter fencing, and lightning arrestors.
“These improvements require billions of naira in sustained investment,” FAAN said, warning that without a review of charges, Nigeria risks falling further behind regional aviation hubs such as Accra, Addis Ababa, Kigali, and Johannesburg.
Safety and Security Remain Non-Negotiable
Aviation safety, FAAN emphasized, comes at a cost. The revised charges will support investments in modern firefighting vehicles, advanced screening and surveillance systems, navigational aids, environmental protection systems, and continuous training for aviation security personnel.
Enhanced revenue, the authority added, will also ensure continuous audit readiness for ICAO, NCAA, and other regulatory bodies.
Improving Passenger Experience
FAAN said passengers increasingly expect clean terminals, functional facilities, efficient security screening, reliable power, good ventilation, and improved customer service. Airlines, too, require efficient ground handling environments to maintain quick turnaround times.
“These service improvements are impossible without sustainable funding,” FAAN stated.
Aligning Nigeria With Global Best Practices
Globally, airport charges are reviewed every three to five years, in line with ICAO cost-recovery principles. Nigeria, FAAN noted, has not undertaken a comprehensive review in over 20 years.
The current adjustment will align Nigeria with international best practices and funding models used across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, where airports recover costs through transparent and regulated tariffs.
Driving Aviation Growth and Economic Impact
FAAN linked airport modernization directly to economic growth, noting that aviation plays a critical role in job creation, tourism, trade, and GDP expansion.
Upgraded airports will help attract more international airlines, strengthen air cargo and e-commerce, boost regional connectivity, and position Nigeria as a West African aviation hub.
Commitment to Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement
FAAN reaffirmed its commitment to sustained engagement with airlines, ground handlers, freight operators, aviation workers, passengers, the media, and government stakeholders to ensure transparency and understanding.
“The revised charges are not punitive,” FAAN said. “They are strategic investments in safer, more efficient, and globally competitive airports.”
Paying for the Airports Nigeria Deserves
FAAN concluded that Nigeria’s size, population, and economic potential demand airports that meet global standards.
“The imperative of new airport charges is clear,” the authority said. “They are essential for safety, modernization, service quality, and competitiveness. Ultimately, the real beneficiaries are passengers, airlines, cargo operators, and the Nigerian economy.”
