FG, Airlines, Unions Reach Fresh Deal To Resolve Aviation Dispute
The Federal Government, airline operators and aviation sector unions have reached fresh agreements aimed at resolving lingering disputes and restoring stability in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The resolutions were reached at an emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, following tensions that disrupted operations at the Abuja and Lagos airports.
The meeting followed earlier engagements between the Federal Government, aviation unions and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), after the unions suspended their industrial action on August 11, 2026.
According to a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adam Kambari, the stakeholders agreed on measures to address outstanding financial obligations owed by airlines to aviation agencies.
Under the new arrangement, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the heads of other aviation agencies are to obtain payment schedules from individual airlines, taking into consideration their operational costs and prevailing economic conditions.
Directors of Finance and Accounts of the various aviation agencies are also expected to meet with individual airlines within one week to negotiate realistic repayment plans.
The meeting further addressed concerns surrounding workers’ rights to freely join or decline membership of aviation unions.
Keyamo reaffirmed that airline employees have the right to independently decide whether to belong to a union without interference from their employers.
To facilitate this, the NCAA was directed to ensure that unions have direct access to employees of airlines to distribute membership forms and allow workers to make their choices freely.
The minister warned that any airline that prevents unions from having direct interaction with its workers would face sanctions from the NCAA.
The stakeholders agreed to reconvene in one month to review the progress made and assess the implementation of the resolutions.
Keyamo also assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient and sustainable aviation sector, while reiterating President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to peace, safety and growth in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
