Airline operators, NAMA disagree on charges
By Wole Shadare (Aviation Reporter)
THE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has accused Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) of blackmail over the collection of its mandatory remittance of five per cent of the Passenger's Service Charge (PSC).
NAMA had on Thursday last week denied air traffic clearance for Albarka, Capital, Space World and Easy Link Airlines for allegedly owing both NAMA and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority N66 million.
But the AON, in a letter signed by its Chairman, Dr. Steve Mohonwu, dated December 8, 2004 and copied to its members and NAMA, accused the agency's officials of asking them to pay accumulated over-flying charges before giving clearance for foreign charter operations.
Mahonwu said that AON, in rejecting payment of over-flying charges took NAMA to court in 2002 and the matter was procedurally heard in the High Court of Lagos. It eventually ruled in favour of AON's rejection of the charges by NAMA.
The AON chief said NAMA reportedly appealed against the judgment earlier this year in the Court of Appeal and the matter is still pending and that anything contrary becomes a violation of court order.
Head of Public Affairs NAMA, Mr. Ben Bem Goong, while briefing journalists yesterday, said NAMA has not asked AON to pay air route charges considering that the case is still in court.
His words: "There is a subsisting court ruling on the matter that is before the court of law. AON's allegations are false, as NAMA has not asked for over flier charges but Domestic Navigation Charges otherwise known as Passenger Service Charge (PSC).
"It is a blackmail to make us not to collect what is due to us. We will not succumb to cheap blackmail and we will stop at nothing to collect what is legitimate. I think they are mixing things".
Asked if the four grounded airlines have paid up, Goong said they have responded, stressing that their response was impressive.
Albarka, Space World, Capital Airlines flew yesterday and it indicated that they had paid what they were owing the agencies.
NAMA spokesman however stressed that the agency's denial of airline air traffic clearance to operators was a painful experience.
"We are at pains, like I said earlier, of grounding an airline. We rejoice whenever there is a new entrant into the industry. We want their survival and to ensure they operate safely," he added.
He noted that the agency's relationship with AON was a necessary one, stating further that "NAMA wants to put itself in a position of survival".
"It will not destroy our relationship fundamentally," he added.
