Air Peace Flights Grounded in Lagos, Abuja as Unions Shut Terminals Over ₦25bn Claim

Shola Akinyele


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Air Peace flight operations were thrown into disruption on Tuesday after aviation labour unions shut down parts of the airline’s operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, leaving passengers stranded and triggering a fresh labour dispute in Nigeria’s aviation sector.Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) reportedly commenced the industrial action in the early hours of Tuesday by picketing Air Peace facilities at the two airports.The action disrupted access to areas serving Air Peace passengers, with early-morning flights reportedly delayed or cancelled. Some passengers scheduled to travel from about 6:30 a.m. were left waiting at the airports amid uncertainty over the status of their flights.Travellers described long queues, confusion and difficulties obtaining timely information as the dispute unfolded. The disruption also reportedly affected flights connecting with other destinations, adding to the difficulties faced by passengers with onward travel arrangements.The unions said their action was driven by two major grievances against Air Peace: alleged restrictions on workers joining trade unions and alleged failure to remit the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge collected from passengers.The labour groups claim that outstanding remittances have accumulated into billions of naira, with figures cited in the dispute ranging between ₦15 billion and ₦25 billion. The unions argue that the money is required to be remitted for the benefit of relevant aviation agencies and are demanding that the alleged arrears be addressed.The unions have also accused Air Peace of restricting…

Air Peace flight operations were thrown into disruption on Tuesday after aviation labour unions shut down parts of the airline’s operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, leaving passengers stranded and triggering a fresh labour dispute in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) reportedly commenced the industrial action in the early hours of Tuesday by picketing Air Peace facilities at the two airports.

The action disrupted access to areas serving Air Peace passengers, with early-morning flights reportedly delayed or cancelled. Some passengers scheduled to travel from about 6:30 a.m. were left waiting at the airports amid uncertainty over the status of their flights.

Travellers described long queues, confusion and difficulties obtaining timely information as the dispute unfolded. The disruption also reportedly affected flights connecting with other destinations, adding to the difficulties faced by passengers with onward travel arrangements.

The unions said their action was driven by two major grievances against Air Peace: alleged restrictions on workers joining trade unions and alleged failure to remit the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge collected from passengers.

The labour groups claim that outstanding remittances have accumulated into billions of naira, with figures cited in the dispute ranging between ₦15 billion and ₦25 billion. The unions argue that the money is required to be remitted for the benefit of relevant aviation agencies and are demanding that the alleged arrears be addressed.

The unions have also accused Air Peace of restricting…



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