Thousands of air travellers were left stranded across Nigeria on Tuesday after a labour dispute involving aviation unions disrupted Air Peace operations in Lagos and Abuja, forcing the airline to cancel more than 70 domestic and regional flights.

The industrial action, which began in the early hours of the day, created widespread disruption at two of the country's busiest airports and triggered a ripple effect across the aviation sector, with United Nigeria Airlines also suspending its operations in protest.

Members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) picketed Air Peace facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, effectively halting the airline's flight operations.

The unions accused Air Peace of preventing workers from joining trade unions and also raised concerns over outstanding five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) remittances owed by airlines to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The action immediately disrupted passenger movement, with long queues forming at airport terminals as travellers struggled to obtain information about cancelled and delayed flights.

Air Peace Alleges Intimidation, Assault of Staff

Air Peace said the picketing prevented passengers and staff from accessing its operational terminals in Lagos and Abuja, making it impossible for scheduled flights to depart.

In a statement, the airline described the disruption as unfortunate and apologised to passengers whose travel plans were affected.

The carrier alleged that some of its employees were assaulted and sustained injuries after resisting attempts by union members to compel them to join the unions.

The airline also pointed out that its workers had publicly distanced themselves from the industrial action, maintaining that union membership remains a personal choice protected by law.

Air Peace questioned why it became the sole focus of the protest despite the fact that employees of several other domestic airlines are also not unionised.

According to the airline, entrances to the Alpha and Zulu terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, as well as facilities at Terminal 2 in Lagos, were barricaded during the action. Access to its operations in Abuja was similarly affected.

The airline said the disruption spread across its network as aircraft scheduled to depart Lagos and Abuja could not operate, resulting in flight cancellations and delays on multiple routes.

NCAA Calls for Calm

Reacting to the crisis, Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, appealed to the unions to suspend the action and allow ongoing efforts aimed at resolving the dispute to continue.

Advertisement

Najomo noted that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had already been engaging stakeholders on the matter and urged all parties to exercise restraint pending further consultations.

He disclosed that the issue was expected to be discussed at a meeting convened by the minister last week, although airline operators reportedly did not attend.

Airlines Defend Payment Arrangement

At the centre of the disagreement is the payment of outstanding Ticket Sales Charges collected on behalf of the NCAA.

Industry operators explained that the debt accumulated during a period of severe economic pressure on the aviation sector, particularly when aviation fuel prices surged from about ₦900 per litre to nearly ₦3,500 per litre following global market disruptions linked to the Iran-Israel crisis.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) maintained that airlines had already reached an agreement with the NCAA on a repayment schedule and were complying with the arrangement.

The association argued that the matter was strictly between the operators and the regulator and questioned the basis for union involvement in enforcing the payment plan.

United Nigeria Airlines Joins Protest

The disruption widened after United Nigeria Airlines suspended its own operations in solidarity with Air Peace, further affecting domestic air travel across the country.

The decision compounded the difficulties faced by passengers and heightened concerns over the impact of labour disputes on the aviation industry.

While union leaders insisted their actions were aimed at protecting workers' rights and ensuring compliance with industry obligations, some members acknowledged that employees cannot legally be forced to join any trade union against their wishes.

Passengers Bear the Brunt

For travellers, however, the dispute translated into missed appointments, disrupted business engagements and uncertainty at airports across the country.

With more than 70 Air Peace flights grounded and additional disruptions resulting from United Nigeria Airlines' suspension of services, the industrial action became one of the most significant aviation disruptions recorded in recent months.

As negotiations continue behind the scenes, industry stakeholders are hoping for a swift resolution to prevent further disruption to air travel and restore confidence among passengers already grappling with high ticket fares and operational challenges within the sector.