…Threatens to hold Individual, group who disrupts airline operations, endanger Passengers safety responsible for consequences
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the umbrella body for airlines in Nigeria says categorically that it has no transactional relationship with aviation unions on allegations of “unremitted Ticket Service Charges (TSC) owed to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).”
AON warned 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.
AON’s reaction came on the heels of threat by aviation unions to disrupt operations of airline’s over alleged failure to remit TSC to NCAA via a warning strike.
In a statement titled, “Re: The so-called warning strike by aviation unions, AON said that it has taken note of threats by certain aviation unions to disrupt flight operations over allegations of “unremitted TSC owed to the NCAA.
According to AON, “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,” AON lamented.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the airline body, said has confirmed what AON has repeatedly said, which is that Nigeria has one of the most expensive aviation charges globally, adding that this is suffocating the industry and it is not the time for distractions dressed up as agitation.
“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 said.
The statement noted that AON members as pariotic Nigerians and legitimate investors in Nigeria’s economy and contributors to the economic development of Nigiera under President Bola Tinubu 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.
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