Nigeria’s aviation industry could be headed for another round of industrial action as two major aviation unions have threatened to begin picketing airlines accused of withholding billions of naira in statutory Ticket Sales Charges, warning that the action could commence “anytime from now.”

The threat comes after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the affected airlines on August 3, 2026, following the lapse of an earlier 14-day notice without compliance.

The unions said they are now ready to enforce their demands through picketing unless the outstanding statutory charges are paid.

The airlines disclosed their position in a joint statement signed by the General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Frances Akinjole, and the Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Odinaka Igbokwe.

The unions alleged that the airlines have been collecting statutory Ticket Sales Charges from passengers on behalf of government aviation agencies but have failed to remit the funds as required by law.

Following the expiration of both warning notices, the Airline Operators of Nigeria on Tuesday said it has no transactional relationship with the unions, warning that any attempt to picket its members’ operations would have serious consequences.

The operators said they would ordinarily have ignored what they described as “misinformed threats,” but decided to respond because of growing concerns among passengers about the possible impact on their travel plans.

Ticket Sales Charges are statutory levies deducted from every passenger’s airfare to fund the operations of key aviation agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

The unions argued that the continued failure of some airlines to remit the statutory charges is undermining the sustainability of critical aviation services, including safety oversight, air navigation, accident investigation, weather forecasting, and manpower development.

They maintained that all avenues for dialogue had been exhausted, stressing that the dispute extends beyond unpaid financial obligations and poses a direct threat to aviation safety as well as the welfare of workers across the industry.

“The expiration of the seven-day ultimatum, coming after the earlier 14-day notice, has shown that these airlines are deliberately refusing to do what is right.

“They collected this money from passengers on behalf of government aviation agencies, yet they have chosen to withhold it despite repeated appeals.

“It has become crystal clear that these airlines have decided to siphon funds meant for the smooth running of Nigeria’s aviation industry to the detriment of our collective safety and well-being,” the statement read in part.

Describing the situation as unacceptable, the unions argued that airlines that fail to comply with statutory remittance obligations should not be allowed to operate alongside carriers that meet their legal responsibilities.

They said they had therefore resolved to embark on industrial action by picketing and shutting down the operations of the affected airlines at airports across the country.

“It is now established that these pilfering airlines are unfit to remain in our skies while responsible and patriotic operators continue to meet their obligations.

“In safeguarding the interests of airport workers and, more importantly, the safety of the flying public, our unions have decided to stop the operations of these defaulting airlines in our airports anytime from now, without any further notice,” they insisted.

The unions, however, maintained that the planned industrial action is aimed at protecting, rather than endangering, the travelling public by ensuring that statutory funds meant to support Nigeria’s aviation regulatory and safety infrastructure are remitted promptly.