Aviation workers in Nigeria have raised concerns over rising inflation and the increasing use of casual labour in the sector, warning that worsening welfare conditions could undermine safety standards and operational efficiency.
The concerns were highlighted during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration organised by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
Speaking at the event, ATSSSAN President, Ogbe John, said workers across the aviation value chain — from air traffic controllers to baggage handlers — continue to sustain the industry despite mounting economic hardship.
“When passengers sleep on the aircraft, the air traffic controller is awake. When families reunite at arrivals, it is because baggage handlers, cleaners, and check-in staff did their job,” he said.
John described aviation workers as the backbone of the industry, but noted that many employees are struggling as wages fail to keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living.
“Our naira is still sick. Food prices go up daily, but salaries are not flying; they remain grounded. Aviators are suffering in silence,” he said, while calling for a living wage that reflects prevailing economic realities and the risks associated with aviation jobs.
He also criticised the growing reliance on contract and casual workers, warning that the trend poses a threat to both safety standards and workers’ dignity.
“The airport should be a no-go area for casual workers experimentation. If there must be safety in the sky, there must be dignity of labour in the industry,” he said, urging a phased elimination of contract staffing arrangements.
The union further expressed concern over the persistent challenges surrounding the cost and availability of Jet-A1 aviation fuel, warning that continued volatility could destabilise the sector if urgent interventions are not implemented.
John called on the Federal Government to engage stakeholders and introduce credible measures to stabilise fuel supply and pricing.
He also urged the authorities to expedite the payment of long-standing entitlements owed to former employees of the defunct Nigeria Airways, noting that prolonged delays had left many retirees in hardship.
“Our senior citizens continue to die without receiving their benefits. The approved N36 billion remains trapped in bureaucratic delays,” he said.
The ATSSSAN president also criticised organisations that resist unionisation, stressing that workers have a constitutional right to belong to trade unions.
“Unionisation is not a privilege; it is a right guaranteed by law,” he added.
Similarly, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) expressed concerns that recent government interventions may not be sufficient to address the sector’s deeper structural challenges.
The union was reacting to the Federal Government’s decision to reduce taxes paid by aviation operators to agencies by 30 per cent following rising fuel costs.
While acknowledging the move, ANAP said broader and more sustainable measures would be required to stabilise airlines and support long-term industry growth.
The association also reiterated concerns over airport concession plans, describing them as highly sensitive and urging the government to prioritise workers’ welfare and national economic interests.
“We consider the recent debt relief measures as insufficient to address the depth of challenges confronting the sector,” the union said, while calling for broader stakeholder engagement.
Both unions called for sustained dialogue among government, employers, and workers to address the economic pressures facing the aviation industry and ensure that reforms do not come at the expense of workers’ welfare and operational safety.
