Nigerian Flights Disrupted, Passengers Stranded As Aviation Unions Commence Two-Day Strike

The two-day warning strike by aviation unions which started on Monday has disrupted flights and left passengers stranded. 

Many travellers are stuck because union members have blocked access to the domestic terminal at Murtala Muhammad Airport.

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) chapter of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has encouraged stakeholders and travellers to create backup arrangements to avoid missing appointments.

The aviation unions said last Friday that they will go on a warning strike in opposition to unpleasant working conditions and privileges. The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria are the unions engaged.

The workers are requesting that the condition of service (CoS), which was reached via negotiations with the Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the office of the president of the federation’s civil service, and other organisations, be approved and put into effect.

As aviation workers stop working in protest of what they claim is the government’s refusal to address their issues on the National Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustment and working conditions, domestic and foreign airlines have had flights disrupted.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) held a meeting, but it resulted in a deadlock since the unions insisted on carrying out the strike. 

The conference, which was arranged by Capt. Musa Nuhu, Director-General of Civil Aviation, was attended by union leaders and was intended to persuade the unions to call off their two-day warning strike.

The aviation authorities apologised for any difficulty the traveller may have had.

“The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, wishes to inform the general public of the aviation union’s planned two-day warning strike scheduled to start Monday April 17, 2023,” FAAN had said.

“Intending passengers and stakeholders are kindly advised and note so as to make contingency plans in order to avoid missing their flights and appointments. Any inconvenience experienced is highly regretted.”

Workers warned that if the two-day warning strike failed, an indefinite strike will follow in a document signed by the five union leaders.

Glamour Adah

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