Nigeria’s aviation industry could face fresh industrial unrest 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 National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) alleged that unpaid remittances had accumulated to several billions of naira, placing significant financial pressure on regulatory agencies and raising concerns about aviation safety.
The unions maintained that the five per cent TSC is a mandatory levy collected from passengers on behalf of aviation agencies and should be remitted in accordance with the law.
The letter, signed by ATSSSAN General Secretary Frances Akinjole and NUATE Deputy General Secretary Odinaka Igbokwe, stated that the failure to remit the funds had weakened the revenue base of the agencies, affecting their ability to carry out statutory responsibilities effectively.
According to the unions, the TSC is backed by the Civil Aviation Act and international aviation standards, including International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, which emphasise the need for sustainable funding to support aviation safety oversight.
They stressed that the charge is not airline revenue but a statutory payment intended to finance the operations of aviation agencies responsible for maintaining safe air transport.
The unions described the continued non-remittance as unacceptable, warning that it threatens the financial stability of the agencies and could ultimately compromise aviation safety across the country.
They demanded that all outstanding Ticket Sales Charges be fully remitted within 14 days, warning that failure to comply would leave them with no option but to take actions necessary to prevent the continued underfunding of the agencies, including measures that could disrupt operations in the aviation sector.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria had not issued any official response to the unions’ allegations at the time of filing the report.