The Airline Operators of Nigeria has warned that domestic airlines could suspend nationwide operations if labour-related disruptions similar to the August incident involving Air Peace are repeated.
The warning was contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting of the association in Abuja and made available to journalists on September 28. Aviation Monitor and PUNCH subsequently reported the position.
The operators said the August 11 incident, during which union members allegedly blocked access to Air Peace facilities at airports in Lagos and Abuja, significantly disrupted domestic air travel.
According to figures provided by the airline association, more than 70 Air Peace flights were affected, resulting in losses estimated at over $1.51m (N2bn). The group also said more than 30 United Nigeria Airlines flights were disrupted, affecting about 13,000 passengers.
The figures were supplied by the airline group and have not been independently verified.
The warning comes amid a disagreement between airline operators and labour unions over the circumstances surrounding the August confrontation.
While the airlines described the action as unlawful disruption, the unions have presented a different account of the dispute.
Aviation Metric reported that the labour groups raised concerns over statutory aviation charges and the rights of workers to belong to unions.
A union representative also rejected the operators’ characterisation of the protest as unlawful, while an official of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria said the unions would engage the airlines in discussions aimed at resolving the disagreement.
The claims over unpaid statutory charges and the dispute concerning workers’ union rights remain contested, with neither side’s account settling the issues.
The airline operators said the consequences of such disruptions could extend beyond the airports where protests take place. Lagos and Abuja serve as major hubs for domestic flights, meaning delays or cancellations at either location can affect aircraft and crew scheduled to operate subsequent flights.
The airlines also said they incurred additional expenses through passenger rebooking, refunds and the repositioning of crew following the August disruption.
Beyond the warning over future industrial actions, the operators have called for greater involvement in plans to reconstruct Lagos’ main international airport.
According to the airlines, carriers should be consulted at an early stage of the reconstruction process to ensure that the airport’s design takes into account the operational needs of airlines and the experience of passengers.
However, the threatened nationwide shutdown is not currently scheduled.
The operators’ position is a warning that a similar disruption involving a domestic airline in the future could trigger a broader response across the sector.
