N25bn unpaid ticket levies threaten aviation agencies’ operations — NUATE

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has raised concerns over the non-remittance of about N25 billion in Ticket Sale Charges (TSC), warning that the development is putting pressure on the operations and welfare of workers in Nigeria’s aviation agencies.

The NUATE Chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, Ahmed Yusuf, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

Yusuf said the outstanding amount represented the five per cent TSC collected from passengers by airlines for onward distribution to relevant aviation agencies.

He alleged that the failure of airline operators to remit the charges had deprived the agencies of funds required to meet their operational obligations and cater to workers’ welfare.

“Their failure to remit the funds has deprived aviation agencies of revenue needed to meet their operational responsibilities and workers’ welfare,” he said.

According to him, the accumulated debt of about N25 billion raises concerns about the financial sustainability of agencies that depend on the proceeds to fund essential operations.

“So how do you want the industry to be sustainable? How do you want workers’ welfare in these agencies to survive?” he asked.

Yusuf said the agencies needed the revenue to cover running costs, provide effective services and maintain acceptable welfare standards for their employees.

The NUATE chairman also linked the issue to the recent industrial dispute involving aviation unions and airline operators, saying the unions suspended their action after engagements aimed at resolving outstanding issues.

The industrial action, involving NUATE and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), had disrupted flight operations at some airports, with unions shutting terminal entrances and some airlines cancelling flights.

Yusuf said another major issue behind the dispute was the alleged refusal of Air Peace to allow its employees to join trade unions.

He said workers’ freedom of association was protected under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and that airline employees should be allowed to organise and collectively represent their interests.

“By Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, it gives the right to freedom of association,” he said.

He argued that just as airline operators had established platforms to advance their collective interests, workers should also be free to organise through recognised trade unions.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had appealed to the aviation unions to suspend their industrial action, with its Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, saying the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was working to resolve the dispute.

Najomo expressed concern over the impact of the industrial action on passengers and other aviation stakeholders, while noting that a meeting convened by the minister could not hold after airline operators reportedly failed to attend.

The NCAA assured passengers that the dispute had not compromised flight safety and that the authority remained committed to its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also said it was monitoring the labour dispute and working with aviation stakeholders to minimise disruptions to airport operations.

FAAN said it recognised the role of organised labour and supported efforts by the minister and other stakeholders to resolve the disagreement.

The authority added that it was coordinating with aviation agencies, airlines, security agencies and other stakeholders to sustain airport operations and minimise inconvenience to passengers.