Air Peace Flights Disrupted as Labour Unions Picket Lagos, Abuja Airports
Passengers travelling with Air Peace were left stranded at airports in Lagos and Abuja on Tuesday after aviation labour unions began picketing the airline’s operations over a dispute involving statutory ticket charges and workers’ unionisation rights.
The disruption affected passengers scheduled to fly from the two cities, with some travellers reportedly unable to access Air Peace departure points during the early hours of the morning.
In Abuja, passengers scheduled to board Air Peace flights from about 5am were reportedly prevented from proceeding with their journeys.
The situation was also reported at Lagos airport, where the gate serving Air Peace at the Zulu terminal was locked.
Passengers scheduled to depart Lagos on an early morning flight were consequently unable to board, leading to frustration among travellers.
Some affected passengers took to social media to complain about the disruption, with concerns raised about missed appointments and other scheduled engagements.
Why are aviation unions picketing Air Peace?
The dispute centres partly on an alleged failure by airlines to remit the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The charge is a statutory levy collected from airline ticket sales in Nigeria and is intended to support the operations of aviation regulatory agencies.
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The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) had previously issued an ultimatum to airlines over the alleged non-remittance of the charge.
The 14-day deadline reportedly expired on August 3, paving the way for the unions to begin picketing affected airline operators.
However, the dispute is not limited to the ticket sales charge.
The aviation unions have also raised concerns about workers’ rights to freely join and participate in trade unions.
Air Peace management cautions against industrial action
The latest development follows a warning from Air Peace chairman and chief executive officer, Allen Onyema, who had urged aviation unions to avoid actions that could severely disrupt operations across the country’s aviation sector.
Onyema argued that Nigerian airlines operate in a highly regulated environment and deal directly with the NCAA on regulatory matters.
The disagreement between the airline and labour unions has therefore raised concerns about the possibility of wider disruption if the parties fail to reach an agreement.
NCAA calls for dialogue
The disruption also comes as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority seeks dialogue between the unions and airline operators.
The regulator has urged the parties to resolve their differences through negotiation rather than actions capable of affecting passengers and the wider aviation industry.
For passengers, the immediate concern remains the impact of the picketing on scheduled flights and airport operations.
Travellers using Air Peace and other domestic airlines are advised to confirm their flight status and check directly with their airlines before travelling while the dispute continues.
