One year after suspending the $300 helicopter landing fee, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reintroduced the levy.

Keyamo had suspended the fee after criticisms from aviation experts and stakeholders, who cited the illegality of the payment to a private company, NAEBI Dynamic Concept.

The minister, however, said that further action would be taken on the issue after due consultation and the review committee's submission of its report.

Keyamo disclosed, while suspending the fee, that the committee met with the executives of AON regarding the issue, prompting the fee suspension.

He stated that the fee suspension took effect on May 30, 2024, following a clamour by some industry stakeholders for review.

In a twist of events, the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) announced the resumption of the helicopter landing levy and payment to the same firm. The agency stated in a circular that Air Traffic Control Operations, Akut D.S., directed by NAEBI Dynamic Concept, was to commence the collection of the fee.

NAMA said: “Authority to Collect Helicopter Landing Levy by Messrs NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Ltd” was dated May 15, 2025, and directed to the General Manager, Commercial, NAEBI Dynamic Concepts.

It disclosed that the firm was empowered to collect the landing fee for air navigation services such as helicopter operations by oil companies at airfields, platforms, terminals, and rigs.

Additionally, the firm is authorised to collect the fees from heliports, helipads, airstrips, and aerodromes in line with the agreement. NAMA disclosed that by the signal, the firm would invoice the respective firms, saying that there would be strict compliance.

Leadership reported that NAMA disclosed in November 2024 that it would resume the fee collection from helicopter operators, which piqued key industry players, who protested the levy's collection.

The report said that stakeholders have questioned the fee collection and the receiving firm, raising concerns about their capacity and structure.