Nigeria’s aviation sector has struggled for years under airport charges that no longer reflect today’s economic and operational realities. While global aviation costs have risen sharply, Nigeria’s airport charges have remained largely static, creating financial strain across airport operations. This mismatch has limited the ability of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to modernise infrastructure, strengthen safety systems, and deliver the level of service expected in a competitive aviation environment.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, manages 22 airports nationwide, each requiring round-the-clock operations, constant maintenance, and strict regulatory compliance. However, inflation, security demands, and infrastructure ageing have all increased sharply, while airport charges have failed to keep pace. As a result, FAAN has been forced to spread limited revenue across expanding responsibilities, weakening its long-term financial sustainability.
At its core, the push to review airport charges is driven by seven clear realities. These include the prolonged stagnation of tariffs for more than two decades, the steady erosion of revenue value through inflation, sharply rising operational costs across power, maintenance and security, expanding regulatory obligations under ICAO and related standards, a widening infrastructure funding gap at airports nationwide, the non-negotiable cost of maintaining aviation safety and security, and the growing need to meet modern passenger and airline service expectations in an increasingly competitive regional market.
The current discussion around airport charges is therefore not driven solely by revenue concerns. Instead, it centres on aviation safety, infrastructure resilience, and the need to align Nigeria’s airports with international standards. Simply put, it is no longer feasible to operate a modern aviation system using cost structures developed more than two decades ago. Against this background, FAAN’s decision to review airport charges seems both unavoidable and timely.
Airport charges frozen in a changing industry
For over twenty years, airport charges in Nigeria have seen little meaningful revision. During that same period, the aviation industry has evolved significantly, driven by technological innovation, rising fuel costs, enhanced security requirements, and persistent inflation. Each of these factors has steadily eroded the real value of existing charges, leaving airport revenue disconnected from operational realities.
Maintenance expenses for runways, terminals, and safety equipment now cost several times what they did in the early 2000s. Despite this, FAAN has continued to operate using outdated revenue benchmarks. Consequently, modern airport operations are being funded with financial models designed for a far less complex aviation environment.
Rising costs and expanding regulatory demands
Airports today function as complex, safety-critical ecosystems. They require uninterrupted power supply, advanced security architecture, constant firefighting readiness, and trained personnel available at all times. These requirements generate significant recurring expenditure, which airport charges are expected to support.
In addition, FAAN must comply with international regulatory standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. These include environmental management obligations under ISO 14001, service quality benchmarks under ISO 9001, and increasingly sophisticated security and emergency response requirements. Meeting these obligations demands sustained capital investment, which is not achievable without realistic airport charges that reflect true operating costs.
Addressing Nigeria’s airport infrastructure gap
Across the country, many airports require substantial rehabilitation and upgrading. Terminal refurbishments, runway and taxiway repairs, modern boarding bridges, efficient baggage handling systems, apron expansion, and reliable power and cooling infrastructure remain critical needs. Security fencing, airfield lighting, and lightning protection systems also require continuous investment.
These projects require billions of naira in funding. Without reviewing airport charges, FAAN’s ability to maintain safety standards, expand capacity, and support airline growth remains severely constrained. In contrast, regional competitors such as Accra, Addis Ababa, Kigali, and Johannesburg have invested heavily in infrastructure, strengthening their position as preferred aviation hubs.
Why safety and security investment cannot wait
Aviation safety is non-negotiable. Airports must meet global benchmarks consistently, and compliance comes at a significant cost. Revised airport charges will enable FAAN to invest in modern firefighting vehicles, advanced screening and surveillance technology, upgraded navigational aids, and continuous training for aviation security personnel.
Improved revenue will also support constant audit readiness for oversight by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and ICAO. Maintaining compliance reduces the risk of operational restrictions, reputational damage, and safety lapses that could undermine Nigeria’s aviation standing.
Passenger experience and airline efficiency
Passenger expectations have evolved considerably. Clean terminals, functional restrooms, reliable baggage systems, fast security processing, proper lighting, effective ventilation, and responsive customer service are now standard requirements. Delivering these services consistently requires sustainable funding supported by realistic airport charges.
Airlines also depend on efficient ground operations to achieve quick turnarounds and maintain punctual schedules. Improved airport infrastructure directly supports airline efficiency, reduces delays, and enhances overall operational reliability.
Aligning Nigeria with global best practice
Internationally, airport charges are reviewed periodically, often every three to five years. Nigeria’s prolonged delay in reviewing its airport charges places it far outside global norms. A structured review aligns FAAN with ICAO cost-recovery principles and sustainable airport management models used worldwide.
In Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, transparent and regulated airport charges form the backbone of airport financing. Aligning Nigeria with these practices strengthens investor confidence and enhances the credibility of the country’s aviation sector.
Supporting growth and economic development
Aviation plays a critical role in economic development, supporting trade, tourism, employment, and regional integration. Modern, well-funded airports attract international airlines, stimulate cargo growth, and position Nigeria as a viable West African aviation hub.
FAAN’s ability to upgrade airport infrastructure is directly linked to airport charges that reflect operational reality. Without adequate revenue, Nigeria risks underutilising its aviation potential despite strong passenger and cargo demand.
Building trust through transparency
For revised airport charges to succeed, continuous engagement with stakeholders is essential. Airlines, ground handlers, freight operators, aviation workers, passengers, policymakers, and the media must clearly understand the rationale behind the review.
Transparent communication helps demonstrate that revised airport charges are not punitive but represent strategic investments in safety, infrastructure, and service quality that benefit the entire aviation ecosystem.
Paying for the airports Nigeria deserves
Nigeria deserves airports that reflect its population, economic size, and regional influence. Achieving that standard requires sustainable financing built on realistic airport charges. Current tariffs are no longer sufficient to support modern aviation demands.
The case for reviewing airport charges is therefore clear. It is about safety, infrastructure renewal, service improvement, and global competitiveness. Ultimately, the beneficiaries are passengers, airlines, cargo operators, and the Nigerian economy as a whole.
