Nigeria’s aviation industry could face another round 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 unpaid remittances have accumulated to several billions of naira, depriving aviation agencies of critical funding and raising concerns about the country’s aviation safety oversight.
The unions, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), stated that the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge is a legal levy collected from passengers on behalf of aviation agencies and must be remitted without delay.
According to the letter signed by ATSSSAN General Secretary, Frances Akinjole, and NUATE Deputy General Secretary, Odinaka Igbokwe, the prolonged non-remittance has significantly weakened the revenue base of aviation agencies, making it difficult for them to effectively carry out their statutory responsibilities.
They warned that the funding shortfall is placing unnecessary financial pressure on the agencies and could ultimately affect the safe and efficient operation of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The unions stressed that the Ticket Sales Charge is backed by the Civil Aviation Act and supported by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which requires countries to maintain sustainable funding for aviation safety oversight.
They explained that the charge is paid by passengers as part of their ticket fare and merely collected by airlines on behalf of aviation agencies, making its remittance a statutory obligation rather than a discretionary payment.
Describing the continued withholding of the funds as unacceptable, the unions argued that the agencies rely on the remittances to perform safety and regulatory functions, noting that the funds are meant solely for operational and safety purposes, not profit.
They consequently directed all airline operators to settle all outstanding Ticket Sales Charges within 14 days, warning that failure to comply would compel the unions to take all necessary industrial actions to protect aviation safety and ensure the sector is not crippled by inadequate funding.
As of the time of filing the report, the Airline Operators of Nigeria had not issued any official response to the unions’ allegations.
