Thousands of air travelers were left stranded across major Nigerian airports in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu on Tuesday as aviation unions picketed Air Peace, grounding approximately 70 flights.
The industrial action was organized 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), supported by the NLC and TUC.
The unions cited the non-remittance of the five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and the alleged suppression of workers' rights to form unions as the primary reasons for the shutdown.
According to union officials, total unremitted TSC owed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) stands at ₦25 billion, with Air Peace allegedly accounting for ₦15 billion.
In response, Air Peace spokesperson Efe Whiskey-Osifo rejected the allegations, stating that the airline had remitted its charges and arguing that its staff voluntarily opted out of joining unions.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) directed the arrest and prosecution of an Air Peace bus driver who allegedly parked a large vehicle across the airside, obstructing movement during the picketing.
By Tuesday evening, the airline noted that it was resuming skeletal operations while dialogue between AON and union leaders was arranged.
"During the enforcement of the picketing, a driver drove the large bus to the runway, parked and left the place. We have ordered that the driver in question be identified and arrested for onward prosecution." — Michael Achimugu, NCAA Director of Public Affairs
#AirPeace #AviationStrike #NCAA #LagosAirport #AbujaAirport #TravelDisruption #AON
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