- Aviation unions have given airline operators a seven-day ultimatum to remit outstanding Ticket Sales Charges
- The workers warned that continued non-payment is affecting aviation agencies and staff welfare
- They threatened nationwide picketing if the debts are not cleared within the deadline
The Federal Government may be heading for another industrial crisis in the aviation sector as workers have issued a seven-day ultimatum to airline operators and other organisations that have failed to remit outstanding five per cent Ticket Sales Charges (TSC), warning that they will begin nationwide picketing if the debts remain unpaid.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the notice, jointly issued by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), followed the expiration of an earlier 14-day ultimatum served on July 8, which ended on July 23 without compliance from the affected operators.
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The five per cent Ticket Sales Charge is a statutory levy deducted from every airline ticket sold in Nigeria. The funds are expected to be remitted to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for distribution among aviation agencies to support their operations and financial obligations.
Although airline operators have traditionally collected and remitted the levy, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) recently announced that it would no longer carry out the responsibility.
In a statement signed by ATSSSAN General Secretary, Frances Akinjole, and NUATE Deputy General Secretary, Odinaka Igbokwe, the unions condemned what they described as the continued refusal of airlines and other debtors to remit the charges.
According to the unions, the failure to release the funds has left key aviation agencies financially constrained, making it difficult for them to maintain safe and efficient operations.
They also argued that the situation has adversely affected workers’ welfare and conditions of service, warning that it poses a serious threat to aviation safety and security.
The statement noted that the prolonged non-remittance of the statutory levy has weakened the agencies’ ability to perform their responsibilities while also reducing staff morale.
The unions therefore issued a final seven-day ultimatum, demanding that all defaulting airlines and organisations settle their outstanding obligations within the period.
They warned that failure to comply would compel aviation workers to commence picketing at the premises of the affected organisations nationwide.
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