Flight operations were disrupted at airports in Lagos and Abuja on Tuesday as members of organised labour picketed domestic airlines over unresolved demands concerning workers’ unionisation and remittance of statutory charges.
The industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) left passengers stranded and disrupted several scheduled flights, as the unions pressed their demands against domestic airlines.
Reacting to the disruption, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) appealed to the unions to suspend the action and allow dialogue to resolve the dispute.
In a statement signed by Captain Chris Najomo, Director-General of Civil Aviation at the NCAA, the authority urged the unions to exercise restraint pending the return of Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The NCAA said Keyamo had been working to resolve the issues between the unions and domestic airlines.
According to the authority, the concerns could have been addressed at a meeting convened by the minister last week, but the engagement could not hold because airline operators failed to attend.
“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,” Najomo said.
The NCAA also assured passengers that flight safety had not been compromised, adding that it continued to discharge its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.
The unions moved to shut down operations of Air Peace as part of the industrial action, with the airline reporting disruptions to its operations in Lagos and Abuja.
Air Peace apologised to affected and stranded passengers, noting that the disruption was beyond the airline’s control.
“Air Peace sincerely apologises to all affected and stranded passengers for the disruption and inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control,” the airline said.
The carrier said passengers scheduled to travel later in the day were being contacted and provided with updates as the situation developed.
The unions are waiting to see if management and government will return to the table as efforts continue to resolve the labour dispute.
