Aviation unions threaten airline shutdown over unpaid ticket levies

Aviation unions on Tuesday threatened to halt the operations of some airlines following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum over the alleged non-remittance of Ticket Sales Charges, TSC, collected on behalf of aviation agencies.

The threat was contained in a statement jointly signed by the General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Frances Akinjole, and the Deputy General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Odinaka Igbokwe.

NUATE is the National Union of Air Transport Employees.

The unions said the seven-day deadline, which expired on Aug. 3, followed an earlier 14-day ultimatum directing the affected airlines to remit the statutory charges to the appropriate government agencies.

According to the unions, the TSC is a statutory levy paid by passengers to support the operations of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

Others are; the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

They alleged that in spite of repeated demands, the affected airlines had failed to remit the funds collected on behalf of the agencies.

The unions described the situation as detrimental to the effective functioning of institutions responsible for aviation regulation, air navigation, safety investigation, aviation training and meteorological services.

They further alleged that the continued withholding of the funds undermined the sustainability of the aviation sector and placed compliant operators at a disadvantage.

Consequently, the unions said they had resolved to stop the operations of the affected airlines at airports across the country without further notice.

“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 the affected airlines at our airports at any time from now, without any further notice,” the statement said.

However, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had, on Aug. 3, rejected the allegations, dismissing claims that its member airlines were deliberately withholding TSC.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, the AON maintained that its member airlines were not indebted to the aviation agencies in the manner alleged by the unions.

Okonkwo said airline operators and aviation regulators maintain direct engagement channels in line with global best practices.

He added that those behind the threats had been misinformed and urged them to verify the facts with the appropriate authorities before taking any action capable of causing unnecessary hardship to the travelling public.

The AON also warned that any disruption of flight operations would adversely affect passengers and placed additional strain on the aviation industry.

“We state without ambiguity that any individual or group that disrupts airline operations or endangers the safety of the flying public based on this particular threat will be held responsible for the consequences.

“We therefore call on the appropriate authorities to take note,” he said.

The unions’ latest threat sets the stage for a possible confrontation between aviation unions and airline operators, with thousands of passengers likely to be affected if the planned industrial action goes ahead. (NAN