Nigeria’s aviation unions have issued a fresh three-day strike notice to defaulting domestic airlines, escalating their dispute over alleged anti-union practices and the non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC).
The notice was issued jointly by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), following the unions’ decision to relax an earlier picketing notice issued on August 4, 2026.
In the notice signed by ATSSSAN General Secretary, Frances Akinjole, and NUATE General Secretary, John Igene, the unions warned that industrial action could commence after the three-day ultimatum if the affected airlines fail to resolve their grievances.
The unions accused some domestic carriers of allegedly restricting employees from joining trade unions of their choice, claiming that workers in some airlines are unable to freely express their intention to unionise for fear of victimisation.
They also renewed their demand for the immediate remittance of the five per cent TSC allegedly collected from passengers but withheld by some airlines.
According to the unions, the charge constitutes an operational funding source for aviation agencies, and its non-remittance is affecting the agencies’ ability to implement negotiated conditions of service and collective bargaining agreements for their employees.
They warned that the continued withholding of the funds was contributing to dissatisfaction among aviation workers and could have wider implications for industrial relations and safety within the sector.
As part of their demands, ATSSSAN and NUATE called on the affected airlines to issue circulars and other formal communications assuring employees that they are free to join unions of their choice without fear of victimisation.
They also demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding TSC funds owed to the aviation agencies to enable the agencies to meet their obligations to workers.
The unions had previously threatened to picket defaulting airlines over the alleged non-remittance of the charge but said they had relaxed the action while maintaining that they remained prepared to commence industrial action if the issues were not resolved.
The latest notice was copied to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Nigeria Police divisions at airports across the country, the Department of State Services (DSS), the media and the general public.
The development raises the prospect of fresh disruptions to domestic air travel if the dispute is not resolved before the three-day notice expires.
