Nigeria’s aviation sector faces the threat of industrial action after two major aviation unions issued a 14-day ultimatum to airline operators over the alleged failure to remit the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to aviation agencies.
In a joint letter addressed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the unions alleged that the outstanding remittances have accumulated to several billions of naira, leaving aviation agencies financially constrained and raising concerns over air safety oversight.
The letter, signed by the General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Frances Akinjole, and the Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Odinaka Igbokwe, stated that the unpaid funds have significantly weakened the revenue base of the agencies.
According to the unions, the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge is a statutory levy collected by airlines from passengers on behalf of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other aviation agencies to support the regulation and safety of the country’s aviation industry.
They stressed that the charge is backed by the Civil Aviation Act and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines, making its remittance a legal obligation rather than a discretionary payment.
The unions warned that the continued failure to remit the funds threatens the financial stability of aviation agencies and could undermine their ability to carry out critical safety and regulatory functions.
Describing the situation as a serious safety concern, they noted that the Ticket Sales Charge is not revenue for airlines but a cost-recovery mechanism meant to ensure safe and efficient air transportation.
The unions have therefore demanded that all outstanding remittances be paid within 14 days, warning that failure to comply would leave them with no option but to embark on actions that could disrupt operations across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
As of the time of filing this report, the Airline Operators of Nigeria had not issued an official response to the allegations or the strike threat.
