Unremitted 5% TSC: Aviation Unions Issue 7-Day Picketing Notice to Defaulting Airlines

A major crisis is brewing in Nigeria’s aviation sector as two leading labour groups, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), have issued a final seven-day notice to defaulting airlines over billions of Naira in unremitted Ticket Sales Charge (TSC).

The fresh picketing threat follows the expiration of an earlier 14-day ultimatum issued to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), which elapsed on Thursday, July 23, 2026, without the debt being settled.

In a joint letter addressed to the AON dated July 27, 2026—signed by ATSSSAN General Secretary,  Frances Akinjole, and NUATE Deputy General Secretary, Odinaka Igbokwe—the unions warned that the persistent withholding of these funds is actively crippling regulatory operations.

“Aviation Agencies remain starved of the required funds to keep our sky safe. At the same time, the Conditions of Service of our members in the various agencies continue to be jeopardised because of the non-remittance of the TSC. This unnecessary demotivation factor to the air transport worker is a security and safety risk.”

Decrying the prolonged non-compliance, the unions declared that they will no longer stand by while airspace safety and worker welfare are compromised.

“In view of the above, we can no longer helplessly fold our hands and allow the safety of our airspace to remain compromised. We hereby issue a 7-Day Notice to every TSC defaulter to remit the total debt owed to the Agencies; failure to do so will result in our Unions’ concrete actions at their various premises,” the letter stated.

The unions had previously highlighted international regulations to emphasise the severity of the default, citing the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Doc 9734 (Safety Oversight Manual, Parts A and B), which mandates a stable, sustainable financing model for civil aviation authorities.

Under the Civil Aviation Act, because passengers pay the 5% charge upfront during ticket purchases, airlines function strictly as collection agents and are legally obligated to remit the funds in full and without delay. Failure to do so not only breaches statutory duty but also diverts money already paid by the flying public for safety oversight.

With the seven-day window now ticking, industrial action across default airline premises appears imminent unless quick intervention occurs.

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Wole Shadare