Keyamo Meets AON, Unions, Agency Heads to End Aviation Strike Dispute

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has convened a meeting with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), aviation unions and heads of aviation agencies in an effort to resolve the dispute that led to the disruption of domestic flight operations.

The meeting followed industrial action by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) over outstanding Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) remittances and concerns about workers’ unionisation. The meeting brought together representatives of the affected stakeholders as the Federal Government sought a resolution that would restore normal operations and prevent further disruption to air travel.

Keyamo’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over the impact of the dispute on passengers and the wider aviation industry. The minister is seeking to bring the airlines, unions and aviation agencies to an agreement on the outstanding issues. One of the issues under discussion is the repayment of debts owed by airlines in connection with the TSC. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is expected to develop a repayment plan to address the outstanding obligations.

The dispute has also centred on the right of aviation workers to belong to trade unions. The unions have demanded that airlines respect workers’ freedom to unionise without intimidation or victimisation.

By Oshuniran Sheriff Ola