FAAN Assures Passengers Of Continued Airport Operations Amid Industrial Action

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured air travellers across the country that airport operations will continue despite the ongoing industrial action by aviation unions.

FAAN, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said it was closely monitoring developments surrounding the industrial action and working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that airport operations remain safe, secure and orderly.

Recall that earlier in the day, there was chaos at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja as flight operations were disrupted following the picketing of Air Peace by aviation unions over the alleged non-remittance of statutory charges and workers’ unionisation rights.

The action, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), resulted in passengers being stranded as access to Air Peace’s departure terminals was reportedly blocked.

The unions accused the airline of owing about N15 billion in Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) due to aviation agencies, while also alleging that the carrier had prevented its employees from freely joining trade unions.

Meanwhile, in a statement by its spokesman, Efe Osifo-Whiskey, Air Peace said the industrial action had temporarily disrupted its operations in Lagos and Abuja after protesters barricaded entrances to its departure terminals.

The airline said the entrances to its departure terminals at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, comprising the Alpha and Zulu terminals, and Terminal 2 in Lagos, as well as its terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, had been blocked.

“The blockade has restricted access to these terminals, preventing the departure of scheduled flights from Lagos and Abuja. Consequently, passengers scheduled to travel across our network have been significantly affected by the disruption to flight operations,” Osifo-Whiskey said.

Reacting to this, the NCAa said it was collaborating with aviation agencies, airlines, security agencies and other stakeholders to minimise the impact of the industrial action and prevent disruptions to flight operations.

According to FAAN, earlier operational challenges that affected the movement of some flights within the airside environment have been addressed through ongoing inter-agency coordination, with measures being sustained to ensure the orderly continuation of flight operations.

The Authority also expressed support for the legitimate role of organised labour and commended ongoing efforts by the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo and other stakeholders to resolve the issues.

“FAAN remains committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s airports remain safe, secure, functional and accessible to passengers and other airport users,” the statement said.

The airport authority urged passengers to remain calm and maintain contact with their respective airlines for real-time updates and information concerning their flights.

Meanwhile LEADERSHIP investigation showed that the minister is currently out of the country after the airlines failed to honour his invitation to address this issue last week.