Unions back increase in air passenger charges

Some unions in the aviation sector have backed the proposed increment of the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The unions,  the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) made their position known to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
The PSC is collected by the airlines upon purchase of tickets and paid to FAAN after completion of the flight.
The charges are used to cover the cost of maintaining common areas in the passenger terminals, providing passenger information, maintaining security and ensuring that customers can use the airport in comfort.
PSC was last increased in 2011 when the local currency was more than twice the current value and cost of operation was far lesser than what obtains currently.
The National Secretary of ANAP, Mr Abdulrasaq Saidu, said that the increment would enable FAAN meet up with its responsibility of providing qualitative services to passengers.
Saidu said the increment was justified after eight years since the last review, stressing that factors such as inflation and naira devaluation had made it a necessity.
“Airlines and other airport users have reviewed their charges severally within this period.
“We have four new terminals built to international standards, the PSC tariff fixed eight years ago, will not be suitable for these new terminals owing to new technology, maintenance and other related costs,’’ he said.
According to him, passenger traffic has also grown by more than 65 per cent between 2011 and 2019.
Saidu said the effect of this increased traffic on the airport facilities needed to be taken into consideration.
He, however, cautioned that the increase should be moderate in order not to inflict more burden on passengers as some airlines might be forced to also increase their air fares.
Similarly, Mr Ben Nnabue, National President, NUATE, said that the cost of maintaining safety and efficiency is high, hence FAAN needed to adjust its charges to meet the current realities.
“Safety and efficiency are expensive. For FAAN to maintain airport facilities to world class standard, there is need to increase their charges.
“Since the last increment eight years ago, the value of foreign currencies have increased, while the cost of electricity generation and diesel have also risen,’’ he said.