Unions-Airlines Crisis: Aviation Experts Raise The Alarm, Warn Of Economic Fallout

Aviation experts have raised security and economic concerns over the escalating face-off between airline operators and aviation unions, warning that further disruption of flight operations could undermine airport security, cripple the domestic air transport network and inflict wider economic losses.

The concerns followed a warning by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) that another disruption of airline operations by aviation unions could 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.

However, aviation experts have warned of the need for a structured mechanism to resolve industrial disputes in the aviation sector, preventing disagreements between unions and operators from spilling into airport operations or causing nationwide flight disruptions.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd), said the threat posed by union activities within airport operational areas should be treated as a national security concern, particularly amid existing security threats.

Ojikutu said, “What is the responsible Aviation Regulatory Authority’s view of the threat of the unions to the Civil Aviation Operators at this time of Homegrown Terrorists Threats to the National Security. What assurance does the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have that the Unions cannot or would not be infiltrated by the external Threats from the neighbouring Airport Environment that the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) is exposed to? I saw this happened at MMA during June 12, 1993 Stalemate Elections.

“The Airport that is in the midst of uncontrolled urban development and complicated road network. The NCAA had better find a way of stopping the Union from Act that is unlawful to Civil Aviation within the Airport Safety/Security Identification Areas.”

Capt. Ojikutu stated further that if the NCAA does not want to be seen as accomplice to the unions’ disruptive act, it must direct the unions to carry their act to the offices of the respective airlines outside the Airport Safety/Security.

He added, “Secondly, it is not the Domestic Airlines alone that are operating at the Airports; others include the International Flights and Private Aircraft Operators and the Ground Services Handlers/Providers. If the NCAA does not want to be seen as accomplice to the planned Union Disruptive Act, it must direct the Unions to carry their act to the offices of the respective airlines outside the Airport Safety/Security Identification Areas that include the Passenger Holding Areas, Aircraft Parking Areas and the Fuel Dispensing Areas.”

Ojikutu’s concerns come as the AON warned that any further disruption of airline operations could result in a nationwide shutdown, potentially affecting passengers, businesses and other aviation service providers.

Aviation expert Dr James Odaudu said the increasing resort to picketing as a means of resolving disputes in the aviation sector was becoming a serious threat to the industry’s stability.

He said while workers had a legitimate right to organise and pursue their interests, repeated picketing that disrupted scheduled flights and stranded passengers had moved beyond a conventional industrial-relations dispute.

Odaudu said, “The growing resort to picketing to resolve disputes in Nigeria’s aviation industry is becoming a serious threat to the sector’s stability. While workers have a legitimate right to organise and pursue their interests, repeated picketing that disrupts scheduled flights, prevents airlines from operating, and leaves passengers stranded is no longer merely an industrial relations issue; it affects the entire aviation ecosystem.

“Conversely, a nationwide shutdown by airlines would be an even more damaging response because it would punish passengers and businesses that are not parties to the dispute.”

He warned that passengers would bear the immediate impact of any escalation, with widespread cancellations, stranded travellers, missed business engagements and disrupted travel plans.

“For air travellers, the immediate consequences would be widespread flight cancellations, stranded passengers, missed business engagements, and disrupted travel plans. With Lagos and Abuja serving as major domestic hubs, disruption at either point could quickly cascade across the national network,” he said.

Odaudu further warned that airlines themselves would suffer significant financial consequences if operations were suspended, as revenues would decline while major fixed costs continued to accumulate.

“For airlines, a shutdown would mean loss of passenger revenue while aircraft leases, insurance, maintenance, salaries, and airport charges continue to accumulate. Aircraft and crews would remain idle, while ground handlers, caterers, fuel suppliers, travel agencies, and other aviation-dependent businesses would also suffer.

“Repeated disruptions could damage passenger confidence, aircraft utilisation, cash flow, and investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation market,” he said.

According to him, the fallout would not be confined to the aviation industry, as disruptions could affect business travel, tourism, investment and government activities.

“The economic consequences would extend to business travel, tourism, investment, and government activities, with companies potentially forced to incur higher costs and longer travel times by road,” Odaudu said.

He therefore called for urgent government intervention to prevent the dispute from escalating into a broader crisis.

“The federal government should urgently convene AON and the labour unions for structured negotiations and establish a binding aviation industrial-relations framework. Such a framework should provide for compulsory notice, mediation, and arbitration before picketing that could disrupt flight operations is undertaken. At the same time, airlines should be discouraged from responding with a blanket shutdown,” he said.

Odaudu stressed that the rights of aviation workers must be balanced with the interests of passengers and the wider economy.

“Workers’ rights must be protected, but so must the public interest. Nigeria needs a system where industrial disputes are resolved without repeatedly holding the entire aviation sector and travelling public hostage,” he said.