Nigeria: Airlines Resume Flights After Aviation Unions Temporarily Suspend Industrial Action

What the report says

Airlines in Nigeria began restoring flight services after aviation unions temporarily suspended an industrial action that had disrupted operations and left passengers stranded at airports in Lagos and Abuja, according to Premium Times, republished by AllAfrica. The development affected domestic carriers including Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines, which both said they were resuming operations while working through a backlog of delayed travelers.

Premium Times reported that the stoppage had blocked access to some terminals and prevented scheduled flights from departing from Lagos and Abuja. Air Peace said it was trying to rebook passengers and that several flights had already been cancelled, while United Nigeria Airlines said its morning services were affected and it was accommodating disrupted customers. The temporary pause eased immediate pressure on travelers, but the broader dispute remained unresolved.

The industrial action stems from a conflict between aviation unions and airline operators over the remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and allegations that some airlines were limiting workers’ freedom to join unions. The unions named in the report include NUATE, ATSSSAN and NAAPE. Air Peace rejected claims that it owed large statutory dues and said it had followed civil aviation directives on the charge remittance.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority intervened by urging dialogue and restraint, while the report said the aviation minister was also expected to help resolve the matter. The episode highlights persistent tensions in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where airlines face high operating costs and unions are pressing for labour and revenue-related assurances.