ATSSSAN challenges domestic airlines on automation sales proceeds

The Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has challenged domestic airlines  on the need to automate their remittance of the the five percent ticket and cargo sales charges as directed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA).
Ahmadu Illitrus, President of  ATSSSAN, , made the call while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had directed the airlines to automate the remittance of the charges.

Illitrus said it was unfortunate that some of the airlines had refused to comply with the directive which was issued  to ensure transparency in revenue collection by  NCAA and other aviation agencies.

According to him, the airlines over the years have been indebted to the aviation agencies through failure to remit the statutory charges.

“ What we have witnessed over the years is that the domestic airlines collect the five per cent TSC from passengers.

“They thereafter refuse to remit to NCAA and or remit only a negligible percentage of the money and illegally utilise the larger unremitted percentage, thereby creating a huge deficit of unremitted portion of the money which now forms what is termed debt,’’ he said.

Illitrus said effective  collection of such charges  would  help the NCAA to be financially autonomous in line with the philosophy of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

“Financial autonomy is a key requirement for autonomy of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,’’ he said.

The ATSSSAN president also debunked the claim by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) that the NCAA was over taxing its members and running them out of business.

He added that there was no evidence to back the allegation as  the NCAA was only carrying out its constitutional responsibility of regulating civil aviation operations   in  the country.

“Since commencement of operations in 2000, the NCAA has invested huge resources in the development of enabling legal and regulatory framework to ensure safe, secure and economically sound civil aviation sector in Nigeria,’’ he said.

He said ATSSSAN and other  aviation unions would not hesitate to carry out industrial action against any airline that refuses  to comply with NCAA   directives in the interest of safety