Two of Nigeria’s strongest aviation unions have raised alarm over what they describe as a violation of the Safety Threshold Ground Handling Charges by major operators in the sector, accusing regulators of failing to enforce compliance despite repeated petitions.
The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) submitted a joint petition to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), alleging that some handling firms were disregarding the pricing framework agreed earlier this year.
The petition, signed by ATSSSAN’s Principal Deputy General Secretary, Frances Akinjole, and NUATE’s Deputy General Secretary, Odinaka Igbokwe, expressed frustration that the NCAA had yet to respond to earlier complaints on the matter.
Managing directors of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO), Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), other handling companies, airline operators, and union executives were copied in the letter.
Unions Insist on Enforcing Safety Threshold Ground Handling Charges
The aviation unions said they had played an active role in ensuring the introduction of the Safety Threshold Ground Handling Charges, which were implemented after years of lobbying and negotiation.
According to them, the new pricing model was introduced to ensure safety, industry sustainability, and fair competition among operators.
They warned that undermining the framework through “price undercutting” would not only distort the market but also endanger safety, as companies may cut corners to remain profitable.
Earlier this year, under the aegis of the Aviation Ground Handling Association of Nigeria, ground handling companies agreed to increase their charges in response to Nigeria’s soaring inflation and rising operating costs.
Rates for a Boeing 737 aircraft reportedly rose from ₦70,000 to ₦400,000, while CRJ/Embraer aircraft charges jumped from ₦50,000 to ₦250,000. Dash 8 aircraft handling costs climbed from ₦25,000 to ₦150,000.
Charges for ground support services also saw sharp increases. Pushback Service Charges rose from ₦22,000 to ₦200,000, and Ground Power Unit Services jumped from ₦20,000 to ₦180,000 per hour.
But following backlash from airline operators, the NCAA approved a 15 per cent reduction.
Even with that adjustment, findings showed that some handling companies allegedly breached the Safety Threshold Ground Handling Charges agreement by offering below-market rates to attract clients.
Union leaders argue that the continued violation of the Safety Threshold Ground Handling Charges could destabilise Nigeria’s aviation industry.
They accuse some operators, especially among the major firms, of engaging in unhealthy competition by offering discounted rates despite the consensus agreement.
ATSSSAN and NUATE said in an earlier July 2025 petition that they had urged the NCAA to step in and protect the integrity of the pricing framework.
With the latest breach, they warned that failure to enforce compliance might push workers to consider industrial action.
“Considering the roles our unions played during and after the birth of the agreement, including our undertaking to police the sanctity of the agreement in the interest of the collective, no member or officer of our union shall be held liable for taking any action that is deemed necessary to protect the sanctity of the agreement as and when needed without recourse to the NCAA,” the unions stated.
The unions’ insistence on upholding the Safety Threshold Ground Handling Charges goes beyond financial stability.
Industry experts argue that ground handling services are critical to aviation safety, covering aircraft towing, baggage handling, fueling, and power supply.
When companies are forced to slash prices below sustainable levels, they may compromise service quality, staff welfare, or safety procedures.
Reports also indicate that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may step in to investigate the alleged violations.
Stakeholders fear that persistent undercutting could threaten aviation safety standards in Nigeria, especially as competition intensifies among NAHCO, SAHCO, Precision Aviation Handling Company Limited, Butake Resources Limited, and Swissport Nigeria.
NCAA’s Director-General, Chris Najomo, recently visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he met with Chairman Ola Olukoyede.
Though details of the meeting remain unclear, industry observers believe regulatory enforcement was among the issues discussed.
The clash over the Safety Threshold Ground Handling Charges highlights broader challenges in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
On one hand, operators face intense cost pressures from inflation, foreign exchange instability, and high maintenance costs.
On the other hand, airlines argue that steep increases in handling charges directly raise their operating expenses, which may be passed on to passengers through higher fares.
For unions, the priority is to ensure safety, fair competition, and job security.
For operators, it is about balancing cost recovery with client retention.
For regulators, the task is enforcing compliance without stifling business operations.
If unresolved, the standoff could lead to strikes or regulatory interventions, potentially disrupting Nigeria’s already fragile aviation industry.
With air transport being central to economic growth and connectivity, stakeholders are urging the NCAA to take firm action to enforce the Safety Threshold Ground Handling Charges and restore industry confidence.
