The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) 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 (NCAA)”. 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 want to clearly state that the AON has no transactional relationship whatsoever with these unions on this matter. 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.
Nigerian airlines are already operating under conditions that threaten their survival. 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.
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We have direct engagement Channels with NCAA on anything partaining our relationship and issues as the industry regulator as it is the industry standard world over , and that engagement continues in good faith. 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.
AON members as pariotic Nigerians and legitimate Investors in Nigeria’s economy and contributors to the economic development of Nigiera 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.
