We increased airport charges to support aviation growth and economic development – FAAN

Following the total rejection of the increase in airport charges by port stakeholders, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured stakeholders and other Nigerians that the increase, which is in the best interest of the nation,  would support aviation growth and economic development of the country.

FAAN added that the increase would further enhance passenger experience and service quality while the increase brings Nigeria closer to International Civil Aviation Organisation’s cost-recovery principles.

FAAN made this justification in a statement released by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Henry Agbebire, in Lagos during the week.

The statement maintained that for decades, Nigeria’s aviation industry has been weighed down by outdated airport charges, rising operational costs, and the need for modern infrastructure that keeps pace with global aviation standards.

According to the statement, FAAN has long operated under financial constraints caused largely by tariffs and fees that have remained stagnant for years—even as inflation, security demands, and infrastructure pressure continue to rise.

The reality, as the statement said, is that Nigeria cannot build world-class airports on 2002 prices while running a 2026 aviation system as charges have remained the same for over 20 years.

While the charges remained unchanged, the statement said “the global aviation industry has transformed, fuel prices have skyrocketed, security requirements have intensified, Inflation has eroded revenue value while maintenance and technology costs have doubled or tripled. Yet FAAN’s charges—many of which were set in the early 2000s—have not been adjusted to reflect new realities. This means FAAN has been using outdated revenue structures to fund modern airport operations.

“Airports today are not just travel hubs—they are complex ecosystems requiring 24/7 power supply, modern security technologies, firefighting and emergency response readiness.

“Other more expensive operational cost are runway, maintenance, airfield lighting, staff training and recurrent certification, environmental management (in line with ISO 14001 and ICAO standards) and customer service enhancements (in line with ISO 9001).

“Each of these comes with rising costs. For example, ICAO now mandates advanced security screening technology, emergency response upgrades, and environmental impact controls. These obligations require heavy capital expenditure—investment FAAN cannot sustainably make without appropriate cost recovery.”

FAAN noted that most Nigerian airports need upgrades in terminal facilities, runway and taxiway rehabilitation, boarding bridges, baggage handling systems, apron expansion, power and cooling systems, perimeter fencing and lightning arrestors and all these  require billions of Naira.

FAAN said it could not deliver all these and compete with other regional airports without adjusting its charges to reflect realistic cost-recovery models.

According to the statement, “More importantly, enhanced revenue will help FAAN maintain a state of continuous audit readiness for ICAO, NCAA, and other regulatory assessments.

“Passengers demand clean terminals, functional restrooms, working conveyor belts, fast security checks, good lighting and ventilation, reliable Wi-Fi and better customer service. These improvements cost money. Modern airlines also demand world-class ground handling environments to ensure quick turnaround and operational efficiency. Revised charges give FAAN the financial muscle to meet these expectations.

“By adjusting charges, FAAN aligns Nigeria with models used in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia—where airports recover costs through transparent, regulated tariffs.

“The aviation sector contributes massively to job creation, tourism, commerce, and national GDP. FAAN’s ability to upgrade airports is directly tied to attracting more international airlines, making Nigeria a West African aviation hub, supporting air cargo and e-commerce, boosting local tourism and improving regional connectivity among others. Without sufficient revenue, these opportunities remain underexploited.”

Assuring port stakeholders and the public of the gains of the increase, FAAN said “Nigeria deserves airports that reflect its status, population, and economic potential. But world-class airports require sustainable financing. The current charges simply cannot support the infrastructure and safety requirements of modern aviation.

“The imperative of new FAAN airport charges is therefore clear. They are to enhance safety, to modernize infrastructure, to improve service quality, to meet global standards and to make Nigerian airports competitive again.

“Ultimately, the real winners are passengers, airlines, cargo operators, and the Nigerian economy.”