NAAE seeks fairer ticket charge formula to strengthen Nigeria’s...

The National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) has urged the National Assembly to undertake a comprehensive review of the sharing formula for the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC), arguing that the current revenue allocation no longer reflects the operational realities and funding needs of Nigeria’s air navigation services.

The association said the ongoing legislative review of the TSC presents an opportunity to establish a more equitable allocation model capable of strengthening the country’s aviation safety architecture.

In a statement jointly signed by its President, Engr. Selzing Miri, and Secretary, Engr. Mohammed Shuaibu, the association called on lawmakers to base the review on the statutory responsibilities, operational demands and funding requirements of each aviation agency rather than maintaining an outdated formula.

According to the association, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) currently receives only 23 per cent of the Ticket Sales Charge, while the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) receives 57 per cent, despite the increasing technological complexity and financial burden associated with providing modern air navigation services.

The association maintained that the existing formula was introduced decades ago when aviation technology was significantly less sophisticated but has remained largely unchanged despite Nigeria’s adoption of Performance-Based Navigation, satellite surveillance systems, digital communication networks, cybersecurity infrastructure and other International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-mandated technologies.

NAAE argued that the issue should not be viewed as a contest between aviation agencies but as a national discussion on ensuring adequate funding for the institution responsible for the safe, orderly and efficient management of Nigeria’s airspace.

While acknowledging the NCAA’s critical regulatory oversight role, the association stressed that effective aviation safety depends equally on reliable air navigation services supported by sustainable funding.

It described Communications, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) infrastructure as the backbone of aviation safety, noting that every aircraft operating within Nigerian airspace relies continuously on NAMA’s engineering systems throughout flight operations.

According to the association, the procurement, installation, calibration, maintenance, modernisation and periodic replacement of radar systems, Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), DVOR/DME facilities, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Multilateration (MLAT), satellite-based navigation infrastructure, communication networks, Aeronautical Information Management (AIM), flight calibration systems, power infrastructure and cybersecurity architecture require substantial and continuous investment.

It noted that these facilities operate round the clock throughout the year and cannot be allowed to deteriorate because of inadequate funding without exposing the country’s aviation sector to operational and safety risks.

NAAE added that every successful take-off, en-route flight, instrument approach and safe landing depends on the seamless operation of engineering systems designed, installed, maintained and monitored by Air Traffic Safety Electronics personnel and other aviation professionals within NAMA.

The association urged all stakeholders to approach the review from the perspective of national interest rather than institutional rivalry, insisting that a stronger funding framework for critical air navigation infrastructure would enhance Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s leading aviation hub.