According to a recent statistics of passenger traffic for 2014/2015, the estimated total earnings in foreign exchange that accrued to the aviation industry in Nigeria were $1.132 billion.
The figure shows that within that period, 2.5 million litres/day of fuel was sold to foreign airlines at $0.60 per litre, which amounted to $400 million.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Passenger Service Charge (PSC) of $50 per passenger on about 3.5 million outbound International Passengers (2014/2015 FAAN Passengers Traffic Statistics) translated to $150 million.
Landing and parking charges on 25,000 foreign airlines aircraft at average of $1500 per aircraft amounted to $62 million according to 2014/2015 FAAN air traffic statistics made available to Woleshadare.net.
For the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), air traffic control/air navigation service charge on about 100,000 inbound, outbound or overflying International Flights at average of $600 per flight, $60 million was realised.
Also accruing to the coffers of government was the $20 airport security tax, which passengers leaving the country pay. Security charges of $20 per passenger on 2.5 million outbound international passengers grossed $50 million.
The NCAA/ministry charges on Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) royalties and commercial agreement with foreign airlines on about 2.5 million inbound and outbound passengers at average of $80 per seat amounted to $280 million.
Foreign exchange earnings on inbound passenger and cargo from about four airlines operators on regional, continental and intercontinental at average of $2.5 million per week amounted to $130 million.
The foreign earnings of other aviation service providers such as Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO Plc, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) are not included.
John Ojikutu, former Commandant, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, said from the estimated forex earnings, it would appear that the service providers make more forex earnings than the airline operators, especially the fuel marketers, NCAA and FAAN.
He said one must however be mindful that these earnings were the benefits of the various BASA between the Federal Government and countries of the foreign airlines.
