Aviation Unions Shut Down Lagos, Abuja Airports as Domestic Flights Grind to Halt

Aviation unions on Tuesday disrupted domestic flight operations in Lagos and Abuja, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded as the workers intensified their protest over alleged anti-union practices by airlines and unpaid aviation charges.

The action, led by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) under the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), began around 5 a.m. in Lagos.

The unions accused some domestic airlines of preventing employees from freely joining trade unions and allegedly withholding the statutory 5 per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) collected from passengers.

At the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, access to the Zulu terminal was reportedly blocked, disrupting scheduled flights and leaving passengers waiting for information.

One Air Peace flight scheduled to depart Lagos at 6:30 a.m. was unable to take off as the industrial action took effect.

Passengers expressed frustration over the disruption, with some saying they had arrived at the airport early but had no clear information about when their flights would resume.

An Air Peace staff member confirmed that the disruption had occurred but declined to comment on the reason for the protest.

Unions accuse airlines of violating workers’ rights

The aviation unions said the industrial action followed several weeks of failed efforts to resolve their grievances.

According to the unions, workers at some airlines allegedly face intimidation or fear victimisation if they attempt to join trade unions.

They are demanding that affected airlines issue clear directives confirming that employees have the right to belong to unions of their choice without discrimination or harassment.

The unions also accused airlines of failing to remit the five per cent TSC collected from passengers, arguing that the money is required to support aviation agencies and fulfil obligations under workers’ collective bargaining agreements.

They warned that prolonged disputes and growing frustration among aviation workers could have serious implications for the industry.

The unions said they had previously issued a three-day strike notice after warning on August 4 that they could begin industrial action without further notice.

Air Peace operations also affected

Air Peace, which was among the airlines affected by the action, said its operations in Lagos and Abuja had been temporarily disrupted.

The airline said entrances to its departure terminals at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals 1 and 2 in Lagos, as well as its terminal at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, had been barricaded.

According to the airline, the blockade prevented scheduled flights from departing and affected passengers travelling across its network.

Air Peace apologised to affected passengers and said travellers scheduled to fly later in the day were being contacted as the situation developed.

The airline maintained that the disruption was caused by circumstances beyond its control.

Aviation authorities call for dialogue

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) appealed to the unions and airline operators to suspend the confrontation and return to dialogue.

The Director-General of the NCAA said the dispute could have been addressed at a meeting convened by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, although the meeting could not hold after airline operators reportedly failed to attend.

The NCAA assured passengers that flight safety remained uncompromised, adding that the authority continued to carry out its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.

It urged all parties to embrace dialogue, expressing confidence that the dispute would be resolved and normal flight operations restored.

For now, passengers in Lagos and Abuja face continued uncertainty as aviation unions and airline operators remain locked in a dispute over workers’ rights and the remittance of aviation funds.