Allen Onyema, Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, has warned aviation unions against carrying out planned pickets against Nigerian airlines over unpaid Ticket Sales Charges (TSC) to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Speaking at the biography launch of Medview founder Muneer Bankole in Lagos on Wednesday, Onyema stated that domestic airlines have no dispute with any union and maintain a direct working relationship with the NCAA, which they continue to comply with. He described threats of industrial action as unprecedented and dangerous, stressing that airlines already operate under extreme financial strain.
Onyema argued that using unions to enforce payment obligations sets a harmful precedent, particularly since airlines face high borrowing costs—between 30% and 33% interest—and recurring operational challenges such as bird strikes, which some carriers have reported up to 56 times in a single year. He noted that despite paying levies meant for infrastructure support, airlines often receive inadequate government-backed assistance in return. "Nowhere in the world does a government agency use a union to address issues of debt," he said, adding that such tactics undermine industry safety and stability. Onyema challenged unions to justify their involvement, asserting that airlines are not intimidated and are prepared for any shutdown attempt.
He maintained that airlines have consistently responded to directives from both the Minister of Aviation and the Director-General of the NCAA. While condemning what he called baseless intimidation, he insisted that the survival of the airline industry should be a national priority, describing airline operators as among the most patriotic Nigerians due to their persistence amid harsh operating conditions.
Allen Onyema claims airlines face existential threats from union actions over TSC debts, yet insists they fully comply with NCAA directives. If unions are acting at the regulator's behest, it raises questions about whether the NCAA is using third parties to enforce financial demands while maintaining official distance. This could affect how airlines engage with regulatory obligations going forward.
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