Aviation unions challenge NSA over TSC abolition, demand Air P

Aviation unions have challenged the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) over reported moves to abolish the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC), demanding an investigation into alleged security breaches involving Air Peace at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The unions accused the national security apparatus of giving priority to the demands of airline operators over concerns about aviation safety, statutory revenue collection and workers’ rights, warning that scrapping the charge could undermine the financial capacity of critical aviation agencies.

The position was conveyed at a joint press conference held at the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) ]branch office at the airport, where the coalition raised concerns over reported discussions by the NSA and the Nigerian Intelligence Community on the possible abolition of the TSC.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, General Secretary of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Ocheme Abah, described the proposed move as a threat to the funding of essential aviation services.

The coalition comprises the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and ANAP.

The unions argued that the TSC was a statutory passenger-borne charge used to support safety oversight, air navigation services and meteorological functions across aviation agencies, insisting that its abolition could weaken the operational capacity of the sector.

The dispute dates back to an industrial action embarked upon by aviation workers on August 11, 2026, against Air Peace over alleged resistance to workers’ unionisation and failure to remit collected Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge (CSC) proceeds to the relevant aviation agencies.

According to the unions, the industrial dispute escalated when Air Peace allegedly deployed five branded buses to block aircraft manoeuvring areas and a taxiway at the Murtala Muhammed Airport.

They described the incident as a serious breach of airport security, arguing that obstruction of aircraft movement areas could expose passengers, aviation personnel and airport infrastructure to significant safety risks.

The unions further alleged that rather than addressing the incident and the outstanding regulatory issues, the NSA had convened intelligence meetings to consider demands by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) for the abolition of the TSC as a means of preventing further industrial disruptions.

They also accused Air Peace of walking out on an investigation by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) into the dispute, describing the alleged action as an attempt to evade regulatory scrutiny.

The unions maintained that the TSC was not a tax imposed on airlines but a statutory charge collected from passengers to fund essential aviation services.

They expressed concern that abolishing the charge in response to pressure from operators could undermine the funding arrangements supporting aviation safety and regulatory functions.

As part of their response, the unions announced plans to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking a forensic audit of Air Peace’s funding and financial transactions, which they said would help address questions they had raised about the airline’s treatment by relevant authorities.

The coalition also called on the NSA to make public the findings of any investigation into the alleged airport blockade, insisting that all airline operators must be subject to the same security and regulatory standards.

Among their demands were the Federal Government’s rejection of any proposal to abolish the TSC, immediate remittance of outstanding ticket and cargo charges, and strict enforcement of aviation workers’ rights to unionise.

They also urged the authorities to ensure that the alleged security breaches were investigated independently and that appropriate action was taken where violations were established.

The controversy has brought renewed attention to the relationship between airline operators, aviation regulators and workers’ unions, particularly over the funding of statutory aviation services and compliance with industry regulations.

For the aviation sector, the central issues extend beyond the industrial dispute to the sustainability of safety oversight funding, the protection of critical airport infrastructure and the enforcement of statutory obligations across the industry.