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 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.

Mr 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 said.

He said aviation agencies required the funds to provide adequate services, meet running costs and ensure the welfare of their employees.

Mr 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.

The unions had shut terminal entrances at some airports, resulting in flight cancellations by affected airlines before they suspended the industrial action.

Mr Yusuf said the action was also prompted by the alleged refusal of Air Peace to allow its employees to unionise.

He said the unions’ position was anchored on workers’ rights, freedom of association and the need for collective representation.

“By Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, it gives the right to freedom of association,” he said.

According to him, airline operators had formed a platform to protect their collective interests, while workers should equally be allowed to organise.

He reiterated that the union’s position was driven by concerns over workers’ rights and proper remittance of aviation-sector proceeds.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) appealed to aviation unions to suspend their industrial action.

NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo had said that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was working to resolve the issues.

Mr Najomo said the NCAA was concerned about the impact of the industrial action on passengers and other aviation stakeholders.

He said a meeting convened by the minister could not hold because airline operators failed to honour the invitation.

The NCAA has assured the travelling public that flight safety remained uncompromised and that it continued to discharge its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.

The authority had also urged all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation to resolve the dispute and restore normal operations.

Similarly, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had assured passengers that airport operations would continue despite the industrial action.

FAAN said it was monitoring developments surrounding the labour dispute and working with stakeholders to minimise its impact on airport operations.

The authority said it recognised the role of organised labour and supported efforts by Mr Keyamo and other stakeholders to resolve the issues.

FAAN said it was collaborating with aviation agencies, airlines, security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted airport operations.

(NAN)