Passengers Stranded, Flights Delayed As Aviation Workers’ Strike Disrupts Operations

BY YUSUF BABALOLA, Lagos, And EJIKE EJIKE, Abuja

Scores of passengers were stranded and flights disrupted at major Nigerian airports yesterday as aviation unions barricaded airport terminals in protest over issues involving airlines.

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) resulted in the barricading of entrances to departure terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, comprising the Alpha and Zulu terminals, Terminal 2 in Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal in Abuja.

The blockade prevented scheduled flights from departing Lagos and Abuja, leaving passengers stranded and disrupting travel plans across airline networks.

Air Peace, which was particularly affected by the picketing, confirmed the disruption, saying the action was beyond its control.

“The blockade has restricted access to these terminals, preventing the departure of scheduled flights from Lagos and Abuja,” the airline said, adding that passengers scheduled to travel across its network had been “significantly affected by the disruption to flight operations.”

Air Peace apologised to passengers caught up in the crisis, saying, “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 passengers scheduled to travel later in the day were being contacted and provided with updates.

Similarly, United Nigeria Airlines temporarily suspended all flight operations, citing the safety of passengers and crew as the primary reason for the decision.

In an advisory dated August 11, 2026, the airline said it would pause operations rather than compromise safety amid the labour dispute.

“Rather than compromise on safety, we have chosen to pause operations until normalcy is restored,” the airline stated.

United Nigeria Airlines apologised to affected passengers and said it would resume operations once normalcy returned, while keeping passengers informed of revised schedules.

NCAA Appeals For Restraint

Reacting to the disruption, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) appealed to the unions to suspend the industrial action and allow the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to continue efforts to resolve the dispute.

“The NCAA appeals to the unions to sheathe their swords and exercise restraint pending the return of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, who has been actively working towards resolving the issues,” the authority said.

The NCAA disclosed that Keyamo had convened a meeting last week to address the matter, but said it 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 honour the invitation,” it stated.

The authority assured passengers that the industrial action had not compromised aviation safety.

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

It urged all parties to embrace dialogue, expressing confidence that normal flight operations would resume once the dispute was resolved.

ASRTI Condemns Picketing

The Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), led by its president, Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju (rtd), condemned the picketing of airport terminals, describing it as inappropriate and disruptive.

The group acknowledged the unions’ right to protect the interests of their members but argued that airport operations should not be disrupted over regulatory debts involving airlines.

“While we recognise the unions’ right to advocate for the welfare of their membership under universally accepted principles, picketing airport terminals over the non-remittance of Ticket Sales Charges and Cargo Sales Charges to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority is completely out of order,” ASRTI said.

The organisation maintained that the responsibility for enforcing statutory penalties and recovering debts owed to government agencies rested with the appropriate authorities.

It also criticised the timing of the industrial action, noting that the aviation minister had already commenced an intervention process.

“The rules of engagement and understanding of issues must drive how unions fight or advocate for a cause, not through the use of coercion, intimidation, or disruption,” the group stated.

ASRTI further argued that the sensitive nature of aviation made airport picketing particularly dangerous to the stability and reputation of the industry.

It cited provisions of the Civil Aviation Act and the Trade Disputes Act in arguing that aviation-related services constitute essential services and should not be subjected to disruptive industrial action.

“Disruptive or unbridled labour activism has no place in the aviation sector,” ASRTI declared.

The group warned that the disruption could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s aviation industry and send negative signals to potential investors and the international community.

“We unequivocally stand against picketing at airport terminals and their immediate environs,” it said.

ASRTI was also critical of what it described as the selective targeting of Air Peace.

“Premeditatively singling out Air Peace Airline for disruptive picketing shows clear bias from a group that claims to preach fairness,” it stated.

The group argued that grievances concerning staff administration or unionisation should be addressed at an airline’s corporate headquarters or through appropriate legal channels rather than at airports.

“Any airline perceived to be hindering their staff during a strike or picketing should be approached at their corporate head office, not in or around the sensitive airports where other businesses are disrupted,” it said.

ASRTI urged all parties to allow the mediation process initiated by Keyamo to run its course, insisting that regulatory debt recovery should remain a matter between the NCAA and affected airlines.

“To secure the integrity of the nation’s airspace, protect the travelling public, and restore investor confidence, a constructive way forward must be embraced by all parties,” ASRTI said.

The NCAA, meanwhile, expressed regret over the inconvenience suffered by passengers and appealed for patience and understanding.

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