Nigeria’s aviation industry may be on the verge of another labour crisis as two aviation unions have threatened to begin picketing airlines accused of failing to remit billions of naira in statutory Ticket Sales Charges collected from passengers.
The Punch reported that the unions warned that the industrial action could commence “anytime from now” following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the affected airlines on August 3, 2026.
The notice came after an earlier 14-day ultimatum failed to secure compliance.
The position of the unions was contained in a joint statement signed by the General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Frances Akinjole, and the Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Odinaka Igbokwe.
They alleged that the affected airlines had continued to collect statutory aviation levies from passengers on behalf of government agencies without remitting the funds as required by law.
Responding on Tuesday, the Airline Operators of Nigeria rejected the unions’ position, insisting they have no transactional relationship with the labour groups.
The operators warned that any attempt to disrupt their operations through picketing would have serious consequences.
They explained that although they would ordinarily ignore what they described as “misinformed threats,” growing concerns from travellers over possible disruptions made it necessary to respond.
Ticket Sales Charges are statutory deductions from passengers’ airfares meant to fund key aviation agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
The unions argued that the continued withholding of these funds threatens the effective functioning of aviation safety oversight, air navigation services, accident investigations, weather forecasting, personnel training, and other critical services required for the smooth operation of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
They maintained that all efforts to resolve the matter through dialogue had been exhausted, stressing that the dispute extends beyond financial obligations and has implications for aviation safety and workers’ welfare.
The statement partly read, “The expiration of the seven-day ultimatum, coming after the earlier 14-day notice, has shown that these airlines are deliberately refusing to do what is right.They collected this money from passengers on behalf of government aviation agencies, yet they have chosen to withhold it despite repeated appeals.
“It has become crystal clear that these airlines have decided to siphon funds meant for the smooth running of Nigeria’s aviation industry to the detriment of our collective safety and well-being.”
The unions described the situation as unacceptable, arguing that airlines that fail to comply with statutory remittance obligations should not be allowed to operate alongside carriers that fulfil their legal responsibilities.
Consequently, they announced plans to embark on industrial action by shutting down the operations of the defaulting airlines at airports across the country.
“It is now established that these pilfering airlines are unfit to remain in our skies while responsible and patriotic operators continue to meet their obligations.
“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 these defaulting airlines in our airports anytime from now, without any further notice,” they insisted.
The unions added that the planned action is aimed at protecting the travelling public by ensuring that funds meant to sustain Nigeria’s aviation regulatory and safety institutions are promptly remitted.
