Nigeria: Airline Operators Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Union Disruptions

What the report says

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned that its member airlines could suspend flights across the country if aviation unions again disrupt the operations of any domestic carrier. The warning, reported by Premium Times and distributed by AllAfrica, follows the 11 August interruption of Air Peace services at Lagos and Abuja airports, which the association says caused stranded passengers, cancelled and rescheduled flights, and injuries to some airline workers.

According to the report, the AON said the August incident affected more than 70 Air Peace flights and also disrupted over 30 United Nigeria Airlines flights, with broad knock-on effects for passengers and airline staff. The group described the action as a serious security and operational concern, saying it involved blocked access to terminals, check-in areas and workspaces. It said a repeat of such events would prompt an immediate nationwide shutdown by AON members.

The dispute stems from tensions between airlines and unions over remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and the unionisation of airline workers. The unions involved, including NUATE and ATSSSAN, had previously picketed Air Peace operations before suspending the action after government intervention. The AON also said Nigeria’s aviation sector is already under strain from delays, high fuel costs, infrastructure limits and other operational problems, making further disruptions especially damaging.