FG orders airlines, aviation agencies to agree on TSC repayment plans within one week

The Federal Government has mandated airlines and aviation agencies to establish repayment plans for outstanding Ticket Sales Charges (TSC) within a week, as directed by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. This directive came after an emergency meeting convened by Keyamo, which included discussions with airlines, aviation unions, and heads of aviation agencies, following the unions' industrial action on August 11.

The action was taken due to concerns over airlines' non-payment of TSC and the unions' struggle for workers' freedom of association. Keyamo instructed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to acquire payment schedules from airlines, with repayment schedules spread over a reasonable period while considering airlines' operational costs and current economic conditions.

Keyamo also affirmed the right of workers to decide their union affiliation and directed the NCAA to facilitate direct access for unions to workers at all airlines. It was agreed that any airline obstructing unions' access to workers would face NCAA sanctions. The stakeholders plan to reconvene one month later to evaluate the progress of the resolutions and the situation.

The industrial action was primarily focused on Air Peace's domestic operations at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in Lagos and Abuja airport due to significant non-payment of TSC and alleged refusal to engage in negotiations.