Airlines Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Union Disruptions

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has threatened to shut down operations of all its member airlines if aviation unions again disrupt the operations of any domestic carrier.

The association issued the warning in a communiqué released yesterday after its general meeting in Abuja, following the August 11, 2026 industrial action by aviation unions which disrupted flights operated by Air Peace and other airlines at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

The AON described the action as an “unlawful interference” with airline operations, warning that a recurrence could have serious consequences for the aviation industry and travelling public.

The industrial action involved 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 the backing of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The unions had picketed Air Peace facilities in Lagos and Abuja over issues including alleged non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and workers’ unionisation.

According to the AON, the action brought the airline’s operations “to a screeching halt”, as union members blocked access to terminals, check-in counters and airline offices, preventing workers from reporting for duty.

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

It said more than 70 Air Peace flights were affected, with estimated losses exceeding N2 billion, while 30 United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) flights were also disrupted, affecting about 13,000 passengers.

The airlines also incurred additional costs from passenger rebooking, accommodation, refunds, crew repositioning and aircraft rescheduling, the AON said.

The association said the disruption occurred at a difficult time for domestic airlines, which are already grappling with high aviation fuel prices and foreign exchange-related maintenance costs.

AON warned that further industrial action at the Lagos or Abuja airports could have wider repercussions because both airports serve as major hubs for domestic airline operations.

It also said the incident exposed weaknesses in airport security, particularly the ability of Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel to prevent the obstruction of airline operations.

The association therefore called for an immediate review of airport security procedures and response plans to prevent a recurrence.

AON warned that repeated disruptions could undermine investor confidence in the aviation sector, stressing that airlines could not continue to absorb the financial and operational consequences of industrial actions that interfere with their operations.