More than 80 flights were cancelled as aviation unions disrupted operations at major airports in Lagos and Abuja, causing heavy losses for airlines and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
Members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria picketed Air Peace operations over outstanding aviation charges and complaints about workers’ access to organised labour.
The action blocked access to departure areas and prevented several scheduled flights from operating.
Air Peace cancelled a substantial number of services, while United Nigeria Airlines suspended operations and cancelled 32 flights. Other carriers also reported delays or temporary disruptions.
United Nigeria estimated that the interruption cost it hundreds of millions of naira in lost revenue.
The unions said their action was connected to outstanding Ticket Sales Charge obligations and alleged restrictions on employees seeking union membership.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority had earlier confirmed that it reached repayment arrangements with indebted airlines.
Air Peace said the blockade affected passengers across its network and apologised for the inconvenience.
Aviation industry stakeholders criticised the industrial action, arguing that statutory agencies already had legal procedures for debt recovery.
The Aviation Round Table also condemned the disruption and said airport services were critical national infrastructure.
It remained unclear whether the unions would continue the action after leaving the terminals later in the day.
