The inability to operate flights from Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) in Ikeja, Lagos, has cost domestic airlines money.
Only three airlines—Ibom Airlines, United Airlines, and Valujet Airlines—have been able to run single flights out of the terminal as a result of the early-morning protest.
Passengers who were stuck and unable to enter MMA2 raced to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)-operated General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to buy tickets to complete their travel.
One of the impacted carriers, Ibom Air, expressed concern over the situation and urged the disputing parties to try to resolve the crisis amicably.
Aviation unions claim that management at terminal operator Bi- Courteney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) fired 37 employees without following the proper procedures.
The 37 dismissed employees, the majority of whom are union and exco members, were initially given a 10-day leave, according to the leadership of the unions, who also claimed that BASL terminated their employment by email after the union gave it a seven-day deadline to revoke the forced leave and settle the exit pay.
Comrade Frances Akinjole, deputy secretary general of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), stated that this was not the first time the management of BASL had implemented such a measure by terminating employees following a series of intimidation.
