Air Peace has announced disruptions to its flight operations following the ongoing industrial action by aviation labour unions at airports in Lagos and Abuja.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, union members locked the airline’s facilities on Monday morning, disrupting scheduled flights.
The action involves 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), with support from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The unions are protesting alleged anti-union practices by some airlines and the non-remittance of the mandatory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
They are demanding that airline workers be allowed to join unions of their choice without intimidation, victimisation or discrimination, as well as the payment of withheld TSC revenues to aviation agencies.
In a statement signed by the airline’s management, Air Peace said members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had picketed the airline as part of the industrial action.
The airline said the protest resulted in the barricading of entrances to its departure terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, including the Alpha and Zulu Terminals, and Terminal 2 in Lagos, as well as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal in Abuja.
According to Air Peace, the blockade restricted access to the terminals and prevented the departure of scheduled flights from Lagos and Abuja.
It said the disruption had significantly affected passengers scheduled to travel across its network.
“Air Peace sincerely apologises to all affected and stranded passengers for the disruption and inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control,” the statement said.
The airline added that passengers scheduled to travel later on Tuesday were being contacted and provided with updates as the situation evolved.
“Air Peace continues to closely monitor developments and will provide further updates as necessary,” it said.
The airline appealed for the patience and understanding of its passengers as it navigates the disruption caused by the ongoing industrial action
