Passengers were stranded at airports in Lagos and Abuja on Tuesday after aviation unions disrupted domestic flight operations over unresolved demands concerning workers’ unionisation and the remittance of statutory charges.
The industrial action was jointly embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
The unions barricaded access to terminals operated by some domestic airlines, disrupting scheduled flights and leaving travellers unable to proceed with their journeys.
The action was linked to demands by the unions concerning the right of workers in domestic airlines to join trade unions and the remittance of statutory charges to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The disruption particularly affected operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Reacting to the development, the NCAA appealed to the unions to suspend the industrial action and embrace dialogue while efforts continued to resolve the dispute.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Captain Chris Najomo, the authority urged all parties to exercise restraint pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The NCAA said the contentious issues could have been addressed at a meeting convened by the minister the previous week, but the meeting could not hold because airline operators failed to attend.
The authority assured passengers that flight safety had not been compromised and that it remained committed to carrying out its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.
“We appeal to all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation. We are confident that the matter will be resolved shortly and normal flight operations will resume as soon as practicable,” the NCAA said.
Airlines suspend operations
United Nigeria Airlines announced a temporary suspension of its flight operations as a result of the industrial action.
The airline said the decision was taken to protect the safety of passengers and crew, adding that it would resume operations once normalcy returned.
The airline apologised to affected passengers and said they would be kept informed of revised flight schedules.
Air Peace also announced disruptions to its operations following the picketing of its facilities by the unions.
According to the airline, the industrial action resulted in the barricading of entrances to its departure terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, including the Alpha and Zulu terminals, as well as Terminal 2 in Lagos.
The blockade also affected its operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, preventing scheduled flights from departing from both cities.
Air Peace said passengers scheduled to travel on Tuesday were being contacted and provided with updates as the situation developed.
The airline apologised for the disruption and appealed to passengers for patience and understanding, describing the circumstances as beyond its control.
The industrial action came amid a broader dispute between labour unions, airlines and aviation authorities over workers’ unionisation rights and outstanding statutory payments.
The NCAA had previously engaged airline operators in efforts to address outstanding financial obligations to the regulator, while unions have continued to demand compliance with workers’ rights and applicable aviation regulations.
As the dispute continued on Tuesday, the NCAA called on the unions and airline operators to return to negotiations in the interest of passengers and the aviation sector.
The authority expressed confidence that dialogue would lead to a resolution and allow normal flight operations to resume.
For passengers affected by the disruption, airlines advised them to monitor official communication channels and contact their respective customer-care teams for updates on rescheduled flights.