NCAA Urges Calm As Aviation Unions Shut Airports, Strand Passengers

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has appealed to aviation unions to suspend their ongoing industrial action and embrace dialogue, following the disruption of flight operations and stranding of passengers at major airports across the country.

The NCAA, in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the director general, Capt. Chris Najomo, urged the unions to “sheathe their swords and exercise restraint” pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who it said had been actively working towards resolving the issues.

The NCAA DG, however,said the matter would have been addressed at a meeting convened by the minister last week, but the meeting could not hold because airline operators failed to honour the invitation.

“The matter would have been addressed at the meeting convened by the Honourable Minister last week, but the meeting could not hold as the airline operators failed to honor the invitation.

“The NCAA assures the travelling public that flight safety remains uncompromised and that the Authority continues to exercise its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.”

The industrial action by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has resulted in the barricading of entrances to major airport terminals, disrupting scheduled flights.

Air Peace, one of the airlines affected by the action, confirmed that the blockade had restricted access to its departure terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, comprising the Alpha and Zulu terminals, as well as Terminal 2 in Lagos.

The airline also said access to its operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal in Abuja had been affected.

According to Air Peace, the development had prevented scheduled flights from departing Lagos and Abuja, with passengers across its network significantly affected.

“Air Peace sincerely apologises to all affected and stranded passengers for the disruption and inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control,” the airline said.

The carrier added that passengers scheduled to travel later in the day were being contacted and provided with updates as the situation evolved.

Air Peace said it was closely monitoring developments and would provide further updates as necessary.

Meanwhile, the NCAA assured the travelling public that flight safety remained uncompromised despite the industrial action, stressing that it continued to exercise its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.

The Authority appealed to all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation, expressing confidence that the dispute would be resolved shortly and normal flight operations restored as soon as practicable.

“The NCAA regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers and appreciates their patience and understanding,” the Authority said.