Nigeria’s two major aviation unions have issued a 14-day ultimatum to airlines operating in the country to remit all outstanding statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) owed to aviation agencies, warning that failure to comply could trigger industrial action capable of disrupting the nation’s aviation sector.
In a joint letter dated 8 July 2026 and addressed to the Chairman of 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) expressed deep concern over what they described as the persistent failure of several airlines to remit the statutory charges collected from passengers on behalf of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other aviation agencies.
The unions alleged that the unpaid remittances, which they said had accumulated over several months and years, had risen to several billions of naira, placing severe financial pressure on aviation agencies responsible for maintaining safety, security and regulatory oversight across the industry.
According to the unions, the shortfall in remittances has significantly weakened the revenue base of the agencies, thereby limiting their ability to effectively discharge their statutory responsibilities.
They warned that the situation was creating avoidable financial constraints capable of affecting the smooth operation of Nigeria’s aviation industry and compromising aviation safety.
The unions stressed that the Ticket Sales Charge is a statutory levy established under Nigerian law and supported by the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization, making its remittance mandatory rather than discretionary.
They cited ICAO Doc 9734 – Safety Oversight Manual, Parts A and B, which underscores the need for sustainable and reliable funding for civil aviation authorities to effectively perform their safety oversight responsibilities.
According to the unions, the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge represents one of the most critical funding sources for aviation agencies. The levy is paid by passengers as part of their airfare and collected by airlines solely on behalf of the agencies, which are required by law to receive the funds promptly.
They argued that airlines have a legal obligation under the Civil Aviation Act and other applicable regulations to remit the charges in full and without delay.
The unions further maintained that the continued retention of the statutory funds by airlines undermines the financial sustainability of aviation agencies whose operational responsibilities depend largely on the remittances.
They emphasised that the Ticket Sales Charge does not constitute profit for the agencies but serves as a cost-recovery mechanism designed to fund aviation safety oversight and other regulatory functions necessary for safe air transport.
Consequently, NUATE and ATSSSAN demanded that all airlines immediately settle every outstanding Ticket Sales Charge within 14 days of receiving the letter.
They warned that failure to comply with the directive would compel the unions to deploy “every means necessary” to ensure that the Nigerian aviation sector does not suffer further due to inadequate funding for safety-critical agencies.
Although the unions did not specify the exact nature of the proposed actions, they cautioned that continued non-compliance could result in avoidable industrial unrest capable of disrupting aviation operations across the country.
They urged the affected airlines to treat the matter with the urgency it deserves in order to avert what they described as an “avoidable industrial comatose” within the sector.
The joint letter was signed by the General Secretary of ATSSSAN, Comrade Frances Akinjole, and the Deputy General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Odinaka Igbokwe. Copies were also sent to the media, airport service providers, other airport operators and the general public.
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