NCAA Orders Arrest of Air Peace Driver Over Lagos Airport Runway Incident
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered the identification, arrest and prosecution of an Air Peace driver accused of leaving a vehicle on the airside of Lagos airport during Tuesday’s labour picketing of the airline.
The incident occurred as aviation unions intensified their protest against Air Peace and other airlines over alleged non-remittance of the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and concerns surrounding workers’ freedom to join trade unions.
The unions involved include the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), with support from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
According to an airport source, the driver allegedly moved a large Air Peace bus into the airside area and left it there during the protest.
The source said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) subsequently towed the vehicle away to restore movement within the airport area.
NCAA reacts to runway incident
The NCAA confirmed that it was aware of the incident and said the driver would be identified and subjected to appropriate legal action.
NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu said the authority had directed that the driver be identified and arrested for prosecution.
According to him, deliberately leaving a large vehicle in an area used for aircraft operations would constitute a serious aviation safety concern.
The NCAA spokesperson said the relevant provisions of aviation regulations would be considered following an investigation into the incident.
Air Peace disputes runway blockage allegation
Air Peace, however, rejected the allegation that its vehicle blocked the airport runway.
The airline’s spokesperson, Efe Whiskey-Osifo, challenged the description of the incident and maintained that the vehicle did not obstruct the runway.
The disagreement comes amid growing tension between the airline and aviation labour unions over the ongoing industrial dispute.
Why aviation unions are protesting
The latest action follows warnings issued by aviation unions to airlines over the alleged failure to remit the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge to the NCAA.
The charge is a statutory levy imposed on airline tickets sold in Nigeria and is intended to support the operations of aviation agencies.
The unions have also raised concerns about alleged restrictions on workers’ ability to join trade unions within some domestic airlines.
According to the unions, some employees are reluctant to express interest in union membership because they fear discrimination or victimisation.
The labour groups said they had given affected airlines several opportunities to address their concerns before commencing the picketing exercise.
Air Peace dispute adds to aviation disruption
The development has added another layer to the ongoing dispute between Air Peace and aviation labour unions, with airport operations affected by the protests.
The NCAA’s decision to investigate the alleged runway incident also highlights the importance of maintaining clear and secure airside areas during industrial actions.
While the unions insist that their protest is aimed at enforcing labour and regulatory compliance, Air Peace has continued to dispute some of the allegations levelled against it.
Further action against the driver will depend on the outcome of the investigation and the evidence gathered by the aviation authorities.
Key takeaway: The NCAA says it has ordered the arrest and prosecution of an Air Peace driver over an alleged runway obstruction during Tuesday’s labour picketing at Lagos airport, while Air Peace maintains that its vehicle did not block the runway.
