RismadarVoice Reporters, August 11, 2026
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has appealed to aviation unions to suspend their ongoing industrial action and embrace dialogue following disruptions to flight operations at the Lagos and Abuja airports.
The unions, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and National Union of Air Transport Employees, picketed Air Peace over allegations of non-remittance of statutory charges and restrictions on workers’ unionisation rights.
The action disrupted operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, leaving several passengers stranded after protesters reportedly blocked access to Air Peace departure terminals.
The unions accused Air Peace of owing about ₦15 billion in Ticket Sales Charge payable to aviation agencies and alleged that the airline had prevented workers from freely joining trade unions.
Air Peace confirmed that its operations in Lagos and Abuja had been temporarily disrupted after protesters barricaded the entrances to its departure terminals. The airline apologised to affected passengers and said those scheduled to travel would be contacted with updates.
Meanwhile, the NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, urged the unions to “sheathe their swords” and exercise restraint pending efforts by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to resolve the dispute.
Najomo said the regulator was concerned about the impact of the industrial action on passengers and other stakeholders, stressing that the dispute should be resolved through dialogue.
The NCAA also assured travellers that flight safety had not been compromised and that it would continue to carry out its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.
The aviation regulator expressed confidence that discussions among the parties would lead to a resolution and the restoration of normal flight operations.
