The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, will begin the implementation of new air cargo tariffs from February 2, 2026, bringing to an end almost 20 years without an upward review of its cargo-related charges.
The adjustment, which affects only cargo operations, received approval in 2025 but was put on hold while the authority strengthened its internal systems and addressed revenue leakages that had weakened collections over the years.
According to an internal report obtained by TheCable, FAAN concluded that raising tariffs without first fixing operational gaps would have yielded minimal gains, as a significant portion of expected revenue would still have been lost through inefficiencies.
Under the new tariff structure, port charges will increase from N7 to N20 per kilogram, while air cargo handling fees will rise from N5 to N15 per kilogram. Charges for transhipment, courier services and perishable goods will also move from N20 to N40 per kilogram.
The new rates apply to import and export cargo, transhipments as well as cargo vehicle surcharges. Passenger-related tariffs are not affected by the review.
FAAN officials explained that the adjustment became necessary due to the sharp decline in the value of existing tariffs since 2006, even as other players in the aviation logistics chain — including customs authorities, ground handling firms and clearing agents — have reviewed their charges several times within the same period.
A senior FAAN official noted that the authority is responsible for maintaining critical infrastructure such as runways, aprons, terminals, lighting, security and access roads that support cargo operations, yet its cargo tariffs had remained unchanged for nearly two decades.
FAAN said it engaged the International Air Transport Association, IATA, alongside other industry groups and stakeholders before arriving at the new rates.
The authority added that the tariff rollout follows reforms introduced by its Cargo Development and Services Directorate, aimed at strengthening revenue assurance rather than merely increasing cargo volume.
As part of the reforms, FAAN redeployed operational staff and revenue officers back to cargo warehouses and tightened monitoring of unaccompanied baggage, measures it said helped block long-standing revenue leakages.
Operational data from cargo terminals run by NAHCO and SAHCO showed that revenue collections improved in 2025 despite a drop in cargo throughput compared to the previous year.
FAAN said the trend confirmed that better controls, not higher traffic, were responsible for the improved performance, reinforcing its decision to delay the tariff increase until its systems were properly stabilised.
