Unions Threaten Picketing Over Airlines' Ticket Charges

Two major aviation unions, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the National Union of Air Transport Employees, have announced their readiness to commence picketing airlines accused of withholding billions of naira in statutory Ticket Sales Charges. This threat follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued on August 3, 2026, after an earlier 14-day notice yielded no response.

The airlines, represented by the Airline Operators of Nigeria, stated they have no transactional relationship with the unions and warned that picketing would have dire consequences. The unions assert that airlines have been collecting levies from passengers for government aviation agencies but failing to remit them, which threatens aviation safety and the welfare of workers.

They emphasized that all avenues for dialogue have been exhausted and described the airlines' actions as deliberate fund siphoning. The unions maintain that compliance with statutory remittance obligations is crucial for the sustainability of aviation operations in Nigeria.