Current rates stand at N70,000 for B737, N50,000 for CRJ and Embraer, and N25,000 for Dash 8 per flight. International aircraft handling fees range from $1,500 to $5,000.
BY ANTHONY OMOH
Director General Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Chris Najomo, today waded into the burning issue of ground handling charges imbroglio. The recent clamour for further increment has left a bad taste with some operators who argue that new rates were approved just three years ago.
Najomo also met with aviation stakeholders, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, to discuss the sunset airports’ operations. This interactive meeting took place on Friday, February 2025, at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Lagos Regional Office Training Hall, Ikeja.
After listening to the sides, the DGCA, gave the airlines and ground handlers till Wednesday, February 26 to reach a compromise.
Recall, Captain Ado Sanusi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aero Contractors, was among the first to raise concerns over the proposed 600% rate hike. He accused Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc and Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc of acting as a cartel.
Additionally, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) expressed deep dissatisfaction, stating they were not consulted before the new rates were proposed. However, ground handlers countered, asserting that airlines were officially informed.
The disagreement persists, with airlines warning that increased charges will ultimately be passed on to passengers. Ground handlers argue that the industry faces imminent collapse without immediate government intervention.
Previously, the Association of Ground Handlers of Nigeria (AGHAN) proposes drastic tariff hikes: N400,000 for Boeing 737, N250,000 for CRJ or Embraer, and N150,000 for Dash 8 aircraft. Current rates stand at N70,000 for B737, N50,000 for CRJ and Embraer, and N25,000 for Dash 8 per flight. International aircraft handling fees range from $1,500 to $5,000.
Before the last review on March 1, 2022, international airlines paid as little as $400 for narrow-body aircraft and between $1,000 and $1,200 for wide-body aircraft. Following the 2022 revision, AGHAN now targets April 1, 2024, for the new rates’ implementation, pending NCAA approval.
Key stakeholders at the meeting included Managing Director Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Managing Director Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, represented by Mr. John Tayo, Director of Operations; NCAA directors; and accountable managers of airlines and ground handling companies.
For more information on international guidelines, refer to the ICAO Manual on Ground Handling (Doc 10121): ICAO Doc 10121.
