Thousands of passengers were left stranded across major Nigerian airports on Tuesday after aviation labor unions blockaded terminal access, forcing leading carriers including Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines to suspend or reschedule flight operations.
The industrial action, which escalated in the early hours of Tuesday, saw union members barricade departure terminals at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Terminals 1 and 2 in Lagos, as well as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The joint blockade was 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), with structural support from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The labor groups said the picketing followed the expiration of an August 4 notice warning of immediate industrial action.
According to union representatives, the action stems from long-standing disputes over workers’ rights to freely join trade unions and allegations that certain domestic airlines have failed to remit the statutory five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) owed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
As a direct consequence of the terminal blockades, United Nigeria Airlines announced a temporary suspension of its flight operations nationwide, citing safety concerns for its passengers and crew.
“Rather than compromise on safety, we have chosen to pause operations until normalcy is restored,” the airline stated in an official release, adding that affected travelers would receive updated flight schedules once operations resume.
Similarly, Air Peace reported severe operational disruptions after union members restricted access to its departure terminals in Lagos and Abuja, leaving flight crews unable to board scheduled aircraft and passengers stranded in check-in halls.
Regional carrier Enugu Air also announced operational adjustments, informing passengers that several flights out of Abuja would be rescheduled after terminal staff were denied access to the facility.
Addressing the escalating crisis, the Acting Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, appealed to the aviation unions to suspend the strike pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who is working to mediate the dispute.
The regulator urged all aggrieved parties to embrace dialogue, reassuring the flying public that safety oversight remains uncompromised while efforts continue to restore normal operations across the country’s aviation network.
Meanwhile, the Unions suspended their strike on Tuesday and will meet with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo in Abuja on Thursday.
General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSAN, Mr Frances Akinjole confirmed this saying, “It has been suspended. The Minister intervened, so we are having a meeting with him in Abuja on Thursday.”