The Airline Operators of Nigeria has warned aviation unions against disrupting flight operations over allegations of unremitted Ticket Service Charges owed to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
The development followed a fresh seven-day ultimatum issued by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the National Union of Air Transport Employees, directing airline operators to remit outstanding five per cent ticket service charges owed to aviation agencies.
The unions had said the continued non-remittance of the charges has deprived aviation agencies of critical funding needed to maintain the safety of Nigeria’s airspace while also affecting the welfare of workers.
However, in a stern response issued on Monday, the AON noted that it had no transactional relationship with the unions on the matter.
It argued that the unions have been misinformed, warning that disruption to operations would impose hardship on travelers.
“The Airline Operators of Nigeria has taken note of threats by certain aviation unions to disrupt flight operations over allegations of ‘unremitted Ticket Service Charges owed to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’.
“We would not ordinarily dignify this with a response, but the numerous calls from anxious passengers demanding to know the fate of their travel plans leave us no choice. It is therefore on their behalf that we speak.
“We want to clearly state that the AON has no transactional relationship whatsoever with these unions on this matter. To the best of our knowledge, they do not speak for, nor on behalf of, the NCAA.
“Those behind these threats have been misinformed, and we urge them to seek facts from the appropriate quarters before taking any action capable of inflicting needless hardship on the traveling public.”
The AON claimed that Nigerian airlines are already operating under conditions that threaten their survival.
“The cost of aviation fuel and the multiple charges they pay have pushed them to a breaking point.
“The International Air Transport Association has confirmed what AON has repeatedly said, which is that Nigeria has one of the most expensive aviation charges globally. This is suffocating the industry and is not the time for distractions dressed up as agitation.
“We have direct engagement channels with NCAA on anything pertaining to our relationship and issues as the industry regulator, as it is the industry standard world over, and that engagement continues in good faith.”
It threatened sanctions against the unions if they went ahead and carried out their planned disruptions.
“We state without ambiguity that any individual or group that disrupts airline operations or endanger the safety of the flying public based on this particular threat will be held responsible for the consequences.
“We therefore call on appropriate authorities to please take note.
“AON members, as patriotic Nigerians and legitimate investors in Nigeria’s economy and contributors to the economic development of Nigeria under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, remain fully committed to the safety and seamless travel experience of all Nigerians, and we will not be distracted by threats, misinformation, or manufactured crises.”
