The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has clarified the application of aviation charges to helicopter operations supporting Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas industry.
The commission confirmed that the $300-per-landing Helicopter Levy for Air Navigational Services will remain in force for upstream petroleum operators, but ruled that the separate Terminal Navigational Charge (TNC) does not apply to helicopter landings at private offshore facilities and oil platforms.
NUPRC disclosed this in a circular dated August 28, 2026, signed by its Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and addressed to upstream petroleum operators, licensees, lessees and helicopter service providers.
The clarification followed concerns raised by upstream industry stakeholders over the introduction and implementation of the helicopter levy.
To address the concerns, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, constituted a Ministerial Review Committee on March 9, 2026. The committee included representatives of NUPRC, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and NAMA’s appointed collection consultant.
Following its review, the committee resolved that the $300 levy per helicopter landing would be retained and continue to be paid to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) through its approved collection mechanism.
However, NUPRC drew a distinction between the helicopter levy and the Terminal Navigational Charge.
According to the commission, the TNC applies only to helicopter landings at government-owned aerodromes and does not apply to landings at private offshore facilities or oil platforms.
The TNC itself has not been abolished. NUPRC said it would continue to apply to certain helicopter operations outside upstream petroleum activities, including medical evacuation, private charter and agricultural operations.
The ruling is significant for Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas industry, where helicopters are widely used to transport personnel and support operations between onshore locations and offshore platforms.
NUPRC also said the helicopter levy would be treated as a statutory air navigation charge for upstream cost-reporting purposes, while further guidance would be provided on its classification and reporting requirements.
The commission further stated that any new or revised fee, levy or charge directly affecting upstream petroleum operations should not be introduced without prior consultation with NUPRC and other relevant stakeholders, in line with Section 25 of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
NUPRC consequently directed affected operators and helicopter service providers to take note of the clarification and align their contracts, invoices and cost-recovery arrangements with the new position.
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