The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has raised concerns over what it described as the failure of airline operators to remit about N25 billion in Ticket Sale Charges (TSC), saying the situation is affecting aviation operations.
Ahmed Yusuf, NUATE Chairman in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
According to him, the outstanding funds represent the five per cent ticket charges collected from passengers and expected to be shared among relevant aviation agencies.
Union Says Aviation Agencies Losing Critical Revenue
Yusuf said the alleged non-remittance of the funds had reduced the financial capacity of aviation agencies to carry out their responsibilities and support employee welfare.
He questioned how the industry could achieve long-term sustainability if agencies responsible for aviation services were denied expected revenue.
“Their failure to remit the funds has deprived aviation agencies of revenue needed to meet their operational responsibilities and workers’ welfare,” he said.
The NUATE official said the funds were important for covering operational expenses, improving service delivery and maintaining staff welfare programmes.
Labour Dispute Affects Flight Operations
Yusuf also addressed the recent industrial action involving aviation unions, saying the protest was suspended following discussions aimed at resolving issues between workers and airline operators.
The action, involving NUATE and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), affected airport activities and disrupted some flight operations.
Reports indicated that union members blocked access points at some airport terminals, leading to cancellations by some airlines before the action was suspended.
Union Defends Workers’ Right to Organise
Yusuf said another issue behind the industrial dispute was the alleged refusal by Air Peace to allow some employees to join a union.
He argued that workers have a constitutional right to freedom of association and collective representation.
According to him, airline operators have platforms to protect their interests, and employees should equally have the opportunity to organise.
“By Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, it gives the right to freedom of association,” he said.
Aviation Authorities Call for Dialogue
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had appealed to aviation unions to suspend the industrial action and allow discussions to continue.
NCAA Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, said the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was working toward resolving the dispute.
The NCAA expressed concern over the impact of the disagreement on passengers and aviation stakeholders while assuring that flight safety remained unaffected.
The authority encouraged all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation to restore normal operations.
FAAN Assures Passengers of Airport Continuity
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also assured travellers that airport activities would continue despite the labour dispute.
FAAN said it was monitoring developments and working with aviation agencies, airlines, security organisations and other stakeholders to minimise disruptions.
The authority acknowledged the importance of organised labour and supported efforts to find a lasting solution to the issues affecting the sector.
