Crisis may be brewing in the Nigerian aviation industry over the threat by the unions to picket indigenous airlines following their alleged refusal to remit the 5 per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The unions; Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), said its initial 14 days ultimatum issued the debtor airlines, elapsed on July 8, 2026.

They hereby issued the airlines another seven-days ultimatum, which commenced on Monday.

The joint statement, which was signed by the General Secretary, ATSSSAN, Frances Akinjole and the Deputy General Secretary of NUATE, Odinaka Igbokwe was addressed to the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

The unions lamented that the airlines had failed to comply with their demand for the immediate remittance of the outstanding TSC to the NCAA.

According to them, the continued non-remittance of the fund, had deprived aviation agencies of important resources required to sustain safe flight operations, adding that their members’ welfare was also negatively impacted.

They warned that the situation poses serious safety and security concerns for the nation’s airspace.

The unions also regretted that the non-remittance had continued to jeopardise the conditions of service of aviation workers, leading to unnecessary demotivation factor capable of undermining aviation safety.

The letter read in part: “This referenced notice lapsed on Thursday, July 23, 2026 and regrettably, willful non-compliance has been recorded. The aviation agencies remain starved of the required funds to keep our sky safe.

“This unnecessary demotivation factor to the air transport worker is a security and safety risk.”

The unions insisted that they could no longer remain passive while the safety of the nation’s airspace was allegedly being compromised, insisting that all airlines owing the statutory charge must settle their indebtedness within seven days.