The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has slammed the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) over threat to disrupt operations if the operators fail to remit all outstanding Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The association in a statement released to journalists in Lagos on Monday , said it ‘has no transactional relationship whatsoever with the unions on this matter’, hence can’t negotiate for the regulatory agency.
“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.”, it said.
It added that it has a direct engagement channels with NCAA on anything pertaining to its relationship and issues as the industry regulator as it is the industry standard world over and that engagement continues in good faith.
“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 (TSC) 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 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.”, it added.
The operators lamented that they are already operating under conditions that threaten their survival, adding that the cost of aviation fuel and the multiple charges they pay have pushed them to a breaking point.
“The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 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.
“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 GCFR 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.”, AON said.
The unions had last week, issued the airlines a 7-day ultimatum to clear all outstanding TSC owed to the NCAA or face picketing after expiration of the ultimatum.
