Air transport unions have halted services for Air Peace, Nigeria’s primary carrier, leading to significant delays for travelers at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. The protest stems from a three-day strike notice delivered on August 4 by the Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE). The organizations claim the airline failed to submit the mandatory five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC).
The TSC is a legal fee applied to commercial tickets, collected by airlines and forwarded to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to maintain industry safety and infrastructure. ATSSAN General Secretary Frances Akinjole defended the move, labeling Air Peace as the most non-compliant operator and an example for other companies to follow. He noted that the unions resorted to this action after previous attempts at reconciliation were unsuccessful.
Disgruntled passengers reported missing scheduled flights due to the blockade. In response, NCAA Director General Capt. Chris Ona Najomo stated that the agency is monitoring the situation. He noted that Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo attempted to organize a meeting last week to resolve the debt, though airline representatives did not attend. The NCAA is currently urging both sides to seek a diplomatic solution to restore normal aviation services as soon as possible.
