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Air Peace loses N2bn to union picketing, seeks government probe
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Air Peace loses N2bn to union picketing, seeks government probe

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Air Peace airline lost over N2 billion in revenue due to picketing by aviation unions at Lagos and Abuja airports.
  • The unions are demanding remittance of the five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and the right to unionize airline workers.
  • Air Peace reported physical assaults on employees and questioned airport security, while holding the unions liable for passenger compensation.

Air Peace, Nigeria's largest airline, has reported a loss exceeding N2 billion in revenue following a three-day picketing action by aviation unions. The industrial action, initiated by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), targeted Air Peace's operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The disruption has caused significant financial damage to Air Peace, estimated at over N2 billion, while thousands of passengers had their journeys disrupted.

— Oluwatoyin OlajideThe Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace detailed the financial impact of the union picketing.

The unions' demands include the remittance of the five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and an end to the alleged refusal by some airlines to allow the unfettered unionization of their workers. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) backed the unions' industrial action when their ultimatum, issued on August 7, remained unresolved.

Our passengers equally have constitutional rights, including the right to travel without unlawful interference.

— Oluwatoyin OlajideOlajide asserted the rights of passengers affected by the disruption.

Oluwatoyin Olajide, Air Peace's Chief Operating Officer, stated that the disruption caused significant financial damage and disrupted the journeys of thousands of passengers. She emphasized that affected passengers have constitutional rights and that the unions responsible for the picketing would be held liable for any compensation claims. Olajide also reported that some Air Peace employees were physically assaulted during the protest, with one female employee left injured.

Yesterday, some of our employees were physically assaulted while peacefully expressing that choice, including a female employee who was left bleeding and bruised.

— Oluwatoyin OlajideOlajide reported physical assaults on Air Peace employees during the picketing.

Air Peace is urging the Federal Government, security agencies, airport authorities, and aviation regulators to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. The airline questioned airport security protocols, asking how individuals gained access to disrupt operations within a controlled environment. Furthermore, Air Peace highlighted that the incident has raised concerns among international partners and aircraft lessors, potentially impacting confidence in Nigeria's aviation business environment. The airline also cited a subsisting Federal High Court judgment obtained on April 26, 2024, which declared it unlawful for the unions to threaten Air Peace employees through coercion.

How can workers’ rights be defended by violently attacking workers exercising their own constitutional rights?

— Oluwatoyin OlajideOlajide questioned the unions' methods, citing the assault on employees.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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