Why Landing Levies on Rigs, Platforms are discriminatory – Captain Sanusi

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Non-discriminatory levies practices
Caverton Helicopter

Captain Ado Sanusi has addressed the Aviation Ministry, asserting its violation of ICAO’s fair and non-discriminatory levies practices. Reacting to the Ministry’s statement on airports charging landing levies, Sanusi queried if those airports were rigs. 

The ministry defended its $300 landing levy, citing Tallahassee International Airport in Florida as example. 

However, Sanusi argues that airports and rigs are distinct entities, demanding data on rigs where landing levies are paid. “I wanted to hear them say helicopters pay landing when flying in the Gulf of Mexico; that’s our kind of operation. “He stated. Sanusi expected data showing helicopters paying landing fees on rigs in the Gulf of Mexico or when departing Aberdeen Offshore.

Furthermore, Captain Sanusi referenced ICAO’s Policies on Charges for Airports and Air Navigation Services (Doc 9082), highlighting a violation of non-discriminatory practices for levies. He emphasized, “What we are saying is when you go to a rig, you cannot charge $300 for landing on a platform.”

Sanusi raised concerns about charging without considering aircraft weight, noting discrepancies between helicopter and larger aircraft fees. He questioned, “All landing charges are based on the weight of the aircraft, so why would they discriminate against the weight of the chopper but not against the weight of the 747 or 737 landing?”

Sanusi clarified that operators accept payment at airports like Murtala Muhammed but demand fair fees based on aircraft weight. He emphasized the need for fees at airports to align with aircraft weight, ensuring equitable charges for operators.

“We argue that when landing on rigs where FAAN has no maintenance input, they shouldn’t pay $300. Similarly, landing in someone’s backyard with no designated landing input shouldn’t incur fees.”

Captain Sanusi urges the Ministry to engage professionals for clarity, emphasizing their misunderstanding of the situation.

Fact Check:

Following assertions by the ministry on Tallahassee International Airport, NigerianFLIGHTDECK did a random check on various landing fees.

Redhill Aerodrome in the United Kingdom charges Helicopter Landing Fees for single engine at £41.58 and £49.90 with 20% VAT. For multiple engine it charges £89.08 and £106.90 with 20% VAT.

For Tallahassee International Airport it did start charging Helicopter Landing Fees on October 1, 2022. However, the Ministry failed to mention that it has a flat fee of $23.89 per operation. A far cry from $300.

Then there is the City of Torrance located in Los Angeles, California. It has a Landing Fee of $3.00 per 1,000 pounds, for all aircraft weights, with a minimum charge of $6.00 per landing (as of February 1, 2024) of maximum certificated landing weight (MLW), rounded to the nearest thousand pounds.

Also, Dallas Love Field charges $6.55 per 1,000 pounds (as of October 1, 2023) of maximum certificated landing weight (MLW), rounded to the nearest thousand pounds.

All charges above are dependent on aircraft maximum takeoff or landing weight.

 

 

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