The association criticised the levy as yet another weight placed on an industry grappling with high operating costs, inconsistent regulations, and a growing list of statutory charges.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, AON spokesperson and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, said domestic airlines were steadily being pushed toward financial distress due to multiple taxes and levies from government agencies. He warned that the new immigration-linked charge was unnecessary and damaging to the stability of the aviation sector.
Concerns Over Rising Levies
Okonkwo argued that Nigerian carriers “pay for everything aviation agencies do for them,” lamenting that the new fee exemplifies poor policy coordination. He referenced earlier controversies surrounding the $20 security charge on international flights, which he alleged lacked transparency and accountability.
“Aviation has turned into an elephant where lots of people are feeding on, and the operators are the ones doing the job,” he said. He questioned the purpose and value of the earlier security fee, alleging that revenues collected over the years were diverted to non-security uses. “That is clearly collecting money under a pretense. That is dubious,” he added.
According to him, the justification for the new $11.50 charge — described as payment for immigration-related passenger profiling — also remains unclear. He queried whether the fee aligns with global standards and asked what security role immigration officials actually play at airports.
Implications for Passengers and Nigeria’s Aviation Position
The AON warned that the cumulative effect of rising airline charges would ultimately push airfare higher for travellers at a time when many Nigerians already struggle with travel costs. Okonkwo further cautioned that increasing operational expenses could make Nigeria less desirable as an aviation hub for international carriers.
He stressed that the health of the country’s aviation system is directly linked to national economic ambitions, including President Bola Tinubu’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy. To achieve this, he urged the government to offer single-digit interest loans to domestic airlines so they can compete with better-supported foreign carriers.
Lack of Clarification From Immigration Service
Efforts to obtain official clarification from the NIS yielded no response. The service’s National Spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, initially promised to revert but did not respond to follow-up calls before press time.
Okonkwo appealed to the federal government to reconsider the new levy and adopt policies that strengthen, rather than strain, domestic aviation. “If the operators operate with ease, the country will be the biggest beneficiary,” he said.