Nigeria’s aviation sector may be headed for another industrial dispute as two major aviation unions have threatened to begin picketing airlines accused of withholding billions of naira in statutory Ticket Sales Charges (TSC), warning that the action could commence at any time.
The threat follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the affected airlines on August 3, 2026, after an earlier 14-day notice failed to secure compliance.
The unions disclosed their position in a joint statement 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.
According to the unions, the affected airlines have been collecting statutory Ticket Sales Charges from passengers on behalf of government aviation agencies but have failed to remit the funds as required by law.
The Ticket Sales Charges are deducted from passengers’ airfares to fund key aviation agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The unions argued that the failure to remit the charges threatens aviation safety oversight, air navigation services, accident investigations, weather forecasting, manpower development and other critical functions within the aviation industry.
“Dialogue has failed”
The labour groups said all efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue had been exhausted, insisting that the matter extends beyond financial obligations to the safety of the aviation sector and the welfare of workers.
The statement read, “The expiration of the seven-day ultimatum, coming after the earlier 14-day notice, has shown that these airlines are deliberately refusing to do what is right.
“They collected this money from passengers on behalf of government aviation agencies, yet they have chosen to withhold it despite repeated appeals.”
The unions further alleged that the continued withholding of the funds was undermining the smooth operation of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“It has become crystal clear that these airlines have decided to siphon funds meant for the smooth running of Nigeria’s aviation industry to the detriment of our collective safety and well-being,” the statement added.
Airlines reject unions’ claims
Reacting to the threat, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) dismissed the unions’ position, saying they had no transactional relationship with the labour groups.
The operators warned that any attempt to disrupt airline operations through picketing would have serious consequences.
They stated that although they would ordinarily ignore what they described as “misinformed threats,” concerns from passengers about their travel plans made it necessary to respond.
Industrial action imminent
The unions maintained that airlines failing to comply with statutory remittance obligations should not continue operating alongside those that meet their legal responsibilities.
They warned that operations of the defaulting airlines could be shut down across airports nationwide without further notice.
“It is now established that these pilfering airlines are unfit to remain in our skies while responsible and patriotic operators continue to meet their obligations.
“In safeguarding the interests of airport workers and, more importantly, the safety of the flying public, our unions have decided to stop the operations of these defaulting airlines in our airports anytime from now, without any further notice,” the statement said.
The unions, however, insisted that the planned industrial action was intended to protect the travelling public by ensuring that funds meant to sustain Nigeria’s aviation safety and regulatory institutions are promptly remitted.
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