Travellers were left in disarray on Tuesday morning after a coalition of aviation unions shut down Air Peace operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The industrial action, spearheaded by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), was backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The unions accused the airline of blocking staff from unionising and failing to remit ticket-sales charges owed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Passengers Stranded as Dispute Escalates
Hundreds of passengers were seen stranded at both terminals, with no official communication from the airline. The unions had issued a picketing notice on 4 August, warning that they would strike “at any time without further notice.” Describing Tuesday’s action as an exercise in restraint, union leaders said the airline had been given several weeks to address grievances but failed to act.
Allegations of Union-Busting and Financial Misconduct
In a formal statement, the unions alleged that Air Peace, alongside other domestic carriers, had made it nearly impossible for employees to freely join trade unions. They claimed workers feared discrimination and victimisation for even expressing interest in membership.
The unions also reiterated their long-standing dispute with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) over the non-remittance of the 5% ticket sales charge (TSC)—a statutory levy intended to fund aviation agencies. They argued that the withheld funds had rendered collective bargaining agreements at those agencies ineffective, creating widespread discontent among air transport workers.
Union Demands
The unions issued the following ultimatum:
· An unequivocal directive, circulated via internal memos and public communication, affirming that staff are free to join unions of their choice without fear of reprisal.
· Immediate remittance of all outstanding operational funds to the relevant aviation agencies, to enable the implementation of agreed conditions of service for union members.
“This continues to breed disgruntled air transport workers, the implication of which is an accident in the waiting,” the statement read.
Air Peace Yet to Respond
As of press time, Air Peace had not issued any public statement regarding the shutdown or the allegations levelled against it.
The disruption has thrown domestic air travel into turmoil, with no clear timeline for the resumption of services. Elanza News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the situation unfolds.