Aviation Unions Picket Air Peace Operations, Assault Workers over Refusal to Join Associations

Nigeria's aviation sector faced significant disruption yesterday as aviation unions picketed the operations of leading carrier Air Peace. The industrial action, involving the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), led to the cancellation of over 80 flights across various airlines, resulting in an estimated loss of N1.8 billion.

The picketing, which occurred at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, saw union members blocking access to terminals. This action prompted protests from Air Peace workers who stated they did not wish to join the unions. Reports indicate that the situation escalated, with union members allegedly assaulting some of the airline's ground staff.

The disruption forced United Nigeria Airlines to temporarily suspend its operations, and Enugu Air also suspended services from Abuja in protest. Air Peace itself had to cancel half of its daily flights, while United cancelled 32 flights. Other airlines, including Aero Contractors, experienced delays.

The unions claimed their protest was against airlines' alleged non-payment of the five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) owed to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). However, the NCAA had reportedly agreed on a payment arrangement with the airlines for these debts, which accumulated due to soaring jet fuel prices. The unions also mentioned the airlines' refusal to allow their workers to join labor organizations as a reason for the picketing, though the specific targeting of Air Peace was not elaborated upon. Aviation stakeholders have condemned the picketing, warning that it tarnishes Nigeria's image.

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We wish to inform our esteemed passengers and the general flying public of temporary disruptions to our flight operations arising from the picketing of our airline and the ongoing industrial action by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The ongoing industrial action has resulted in the barricading of the entrances to our departure terminals at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Alpha and Zulu Terminals) and Terminal 2 in Lagos, as well as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal in Abuja.