The Management of Nigerian Airline, Air Peace has raised the alarm over the the deliberate massive destruction of their operations by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
In a statement on Wednesday, the airline said the NLC and TUC officials stormed the Lagos Airport and took over their check-in counters, disrupting all their operations due to an alleged misunderstanding they had with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.
It read “They had written us yesterday (Tuesday), saying that no flight should be operated into Owerri today (Wednesday) because Governor Uzodimma disrupted their May Day activities a few days ago.
“Air Peace has no affiliation whatsoever with the Imo State Government or Governor Uzodimma. Our duty and commitment are to the Nigerian flying public that have paid us. We have a contract with them to deliver. This morning, they carried out a selective attack on Air Peace, took over our counters and disrupted our operations.
The statement also noted that the disruption will lead to a huge loss to the business. They also stated that the attack was targeted at Air Peace alone as other airlines were seen operating.
“While they were doing this, another Nigerian airline was allowed to operate into and out of Owerri. They are disrupting over 110 flights of Air Peace. This particular illegal action of NLC and TUC will lead to over N700m loss to the airline.
“It will equally lead to massive disruptions and cancellations of our flights across the country today, and that will snowball into the coming days, too.
The airline also noted that it’s not the first time the NLC or unions will be attacking it for issues that have no bearing with the airline.
There was a time Air Peace was attacked because they were protesting minimum wage with the Federal Government.
“We do not understand why Air Peace and aviation should be selected for this kind of treatment. If they have a grouse against Governor Uzodimma, that should be taken to Imo State. Why are they not stopping road transport workers who are going to Imo State? Aviation borders on national security and Nigeria has been made a laughing stock in the world.”
The airline’s management also stated that it is quite worrisome that the security agencies did nothing while the airline was being “harassed and hounded” by unions at these airports.
They also alerted Nigerians on the situation as most of the flights will be cancelled “today and in the coming days”.
Chioma Kalu
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