The National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, says unremitted N25 billion Ticket Sale Charges, TSC, are hampering aviation operations.
Ahmed Yusuf, NUATE Chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the withheld funds represented five per cent TSC collected from passengers and meant for distribution among relevant aviation agencies.
According to him, failure by airline operators to remit the funds had deprived aviation agencies of revenue needed for their operations and 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.
Yusuf said the withheld funds amounted to about N25 billion, stressing that their non-remittance threatened the sustainability of aviation agencies.
“So how do you want the industry to be sustainable?
How do you want workers’ welfare in these agencies to survive?” he asked.
He said aviation agencies required the funds to provide adequate services, meet running costs and ensure the welfare of their employees.
Yusuf also said the recent industrial action by aviation unions was suspended after discussions aimed at resolving issues affecting workers and airline operators.
He said the action, which involved NUATE and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), had disrupted flight operations.
NAN reports that the unions had shut terminal entrances at some airports, resulting in flight cancellations by affected airlines before suspending the industrial action.
