Aviation Unions Petition NCAA Over Breach of Ground Charges

Two of Nigeria’s leading aviation unions the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) have accused operators in the country’s aviation sector of violating the “Safety Threshold Ground Handling Charges” agreement and have petitioned the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to intervene.

In a joint petition, signed by ATSSSAN’s Principal Deputy General Secretary, Frances Akinjole, and NUATE’s Deputy General Secretary, Odinaka Igbokwe, the unions expressed deep concern over what they described as widespread disregard for the agreement reached earlier in the year. The unions also criticized the NCAA for allegedly ignoring their earlier complaints. Copies of the letter were sent to the managing directors of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), several airlines, and union branch executives, highlighting the seriousness of the matter.

Nigeria’s ground handling industry is dominated by NAHCO and SAHCO, both of which operate in multiple airports nationwide. Other notable players include Precision Aviation Handling Company Limited, Butake Resources Limited, and Swissport Nigeria. The competition among these firms has recently intensified, leading to sharp disputes over pricing and compliance with regulatory directives.

Earlier in the year, under the umbrella of the Aviation Ground Handling Association of Nigeria, the companies reached a consensus to raise their service charges. The adjustment, they argued, was necessary to reflect the harsh economic realities brought on by Nigeria’s rising inflation, which had significantly increased operating costs.

The new charges represented steep jumps. For instance, the handling fee for a Boeing 737 increased from ₦70,000 to ₦400,000, while CRJ and Embraer aircraft rose from ₦50,000 to ₦250,000. Dash 8 aircraft charges moved from ₦25,000 to ₦150,000. Ancillary services were not left out, as pushback charges climbed from ₦22,000 to ₦200,000, and the hourly rate for Ground Power Unit services rose from ₦20,000 to ₦180,000.

Unsurprisingly, the announcement sparked resistance from airline operators, who argued that the revised costs would further strain their businesses and inevitably lead to higher ticket prices for passengers. The NCAA responded by approving a 15 percent reduction in the proposed increases, a move intended to ease tensions and create balance between service providers and airlines.

Despite this intervention, investigations revealed that operators, particularly the larger firms, were allegedly undercutting one another by offering lower-than-approved rates to attract customers. This practice, the unions warned, not only violated the agreement but also threatened the sustainability of ground handling operations and safety standards.

The unions had previously raised the alarm in a July 4, 2025, letter, urging the NCAA to enforce compliance. They cautioned that failure to uphold the “Safety Threshold Ground Handling Charges” could force them to take industrial action. “No member or officer of our union shall be held liable for taking any action deemed necessary to protect the sanctity of the agreement,” part of the petition read.

The matter has reportedly attracted the interest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which may investigate alleged violations amid concerns that financial misconduct could undermine safety in the sector. NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo recently visited EFCC headquarters in Abuja and met with its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, though details of their discussion remain undisclosed.

For now, stakeholders await the NCAA’s response, as unions insist that strict enforcement is vital to preserve fairness, protect jobs, and maintain safety in Nigeria’s aviation industry.