Aviation unions back proposed passenger service charge hike

Some unions in the aviation sector have backed the proposed increment in the passenger service charge (PSC) by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The unions are Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

PSC is collected by the airlines upon purchase of tickets and paid to FAAN after completion of the flight and used to cover the cost of maintaining common areas in the passenger terminals, providing passenger information, maintaining security and ensuring that customers use the airport in comfort.

NAN reports that the 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.

Abdulrasaq Saidu, national secretary of ANAP, said that the increment would enable FAAN to meet up with its responsibility of providing qualitative services to passengers.

“Airlines and other airport users have reviewed their charges severally within this period,” he said.

“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.”

According to him, passenger traffic has also grown by more than 65% since 2011 and the effect of the increased traffic on facilities should 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 airfares.

Ben Nnabue, NUATE national president, said that the cost of maintaining safety and efficiency was high, hence FAAN needed to adjust its charges to meet the current realities.