Airline Operators Warn Unions, Say Another Disruption Will Ground All Domestic Flights

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned aviation unions against any further disruption of airline operations, saying another occurrence will force all domestic airlines to shut down operations nationwide.

The warning was contained in a communiqué issued by the AON at the end of its general meeting where the association condemned the violent disruption of airline operations by unions on August 11, 2026.

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The AON said the incident, which affected operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals 1 and 2 in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, grounded airline activities and exposed vulnerabilities in the security architecture of Nigeria’s airports.

According to the association, union members blocked access to Air Peace’s departure terminals, check-in counters, offices and workstations, thereby preventing airline workers from performing their duties and passengers from accessing scheduled services.

It alleged that some union members also engaged in acts of violence against airline staff, resulting in bodily injuries.

The AON described the action as a violation of the rights of airlines and aviation workers and a serious threat to safety and security within the airport environment.

It stated that the disruption amounted to unlawful interference with civil aviation operations, with potential implications for Nigeria’s aviation sector locally and internationally.

The association said the August 11 disruption caused significant financial losses to airlines and affected passengers across the country because Lagos and Abuja serve as major domestic hubs connecting flights to other destinations.

According to the AON, Air Peace alone had more than 70 flights affected, with estimated losses exceeding N2 billion, while more than 30 United Nigeria Airlines flights were affected, impacting about 13,000 passengers.

It added that airlines incurred additional costs from rebooking passengers, providing accommodation, processing refunds, repositioning crew, rescheduling aircraft and other recovery measures.

The association also expressed concern over the potential impact of such disruptions on investor confidence, saying the incident could discourage lessors and other investors from committing funds to Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The AON warned that the disruption also exposed weaknesses in airport security arrangements, particularly the ability of unauthorised groups to prevent passengers and airline workers from accessing operational areas.

It therefore called for an immediate review and overhaul of security procedures and response plans by Aviation Security (AVSEC) authorities at airports across the country.

The association further maintained that airlines should not be held solely responsible for delays and cancellations, noting that several operational challenges are beyond their control.

It listed adverse weather, inadequate aircraft parking spaces at Lagos and Abuja airports, sunset restrictions at secondary airports, VIP movements and associated airspace closures, bird strikes, foreign object debris, rising aviation fuel costs, inefficient air traffic flow and inadequate airport infrastructure among the major causes of delays and cancellations.

The AON said Jet A1 currently costs above N2,500 per litre and that irregular fuel availability at some secondary airports further complicates airline operations.

It also cited inadequate check-in facilities, screening and exit points, unserviceable baggage carousels and unreliable ground support equipment as contributors to delays.

On the ongoing reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the association commended the Federal Government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for upgrading the facility.

However, it urged the authorities to involve airlines, as key airport stakeholders, at the design and implementation stages to ensure that the reconstructed facilities support efficient passenger and aircraft flows and avoid design flaws.

The AON said it maintained an “absolute zero-tolerance policy” towards any form of unlawful interference with airline operations and remained committed to the safety of passengers, employees and equipment.

The association consequently issued its strongest warning yet to aviation unions, declaring that should the events of August 11, 2026, repeat themselves against any domestic airline, all AON member airlines will immediately shut down operations.

The association also said its members had expressed confidence in its leadership and reaffirmed their commitment to operating within the ethics, rules, regulations and professional code of conduct contained in the AON constitution.

The AON said it remained united in opposing any action that threatens flight safety, disrupts airline operations or endangers passengers.