Airlines Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Union Disruptions
Domestic airlines under the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have threatened to suspend operations nationwide if aviation unions stage further disruptions against any member airline.
The warning followed the August 11, 2026, picketing of Air Peace operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals 1 and 2 in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The AON issued the warning in a communiqué released after its general meeting in Abuja, where airline operators condemned what they described as violent and disruptive actions by aviation unions and other groups.
According to the association, the August 11 protest brought flight operations at the affected airports to a standstill after union members allegedly blocked access to Air Peace departure terminals, check-in counters, offices and workstations.
The dispute between the airlines and unions reportedly centres on the payment of statutory funds to government agencies, as well as allegations that some airlines have prevented workers from joining or organising under unions.
The AON, however, argued that the August 11 action went beyond an industrial dispute because it disrupted passenger movement, affected airline workers and raised concerns over airport security.
The association also alleged that some airline workers were assaulted during the disruption, with several employees reportedly sustaining injuries while attempting to carry out their duties.
The disruption had significant consequences for passengers, as flights were cancelled or delayed, leaving travellers stranded and forcing airlines to rebook passengers, provide accommodation and process refunds.
The AON said more than 70 Air Peace flights were affected, with estimated losses exceeding N2bn, while over 30 United Nigeria Airlines flights were also disrupted, affecting about 13,000 passengers.
The association said the airlines incurred additional costs through crew repositioning, aircraft rescheduling and other recovery measures, coming at a time when operators were already facing high aviation fuel prices and foreign-exchange-related aircraft maintenance costs.
Consequently, the AON said its members had adopted a collective position that any repeat of the August 11 incident would result in an industry-wide shutdown.
The association stated that if any domestic airline was subjected to a similar disruption, “the entire AON member airlines will immediately shut down operations.”
The operators also described the incident as a major security concern, arguing that the ease with which access to airline terminals was blocked exposed weaknesses in airport security arrangements.
The AON referenced the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Annex 17 on unlawful interference, warning that the incident could have serious implications for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
On flight delays and cancellations, the association maintained that such disruptions were not in the interest of airlines because carriers suffer both financial and reputational losses whenever passengers are delayed or flights cancelled.
The operators attributed disruptions to several factors, including adverse weather, congested aircraft parking areas at Lagos and Abuja airports, limited operating hours at some secondary airports, VIP movements, bird strikes, foreign object damage, fuel shortages, inefficient air traffic flow and inadequate airport infrastructure.
The association also raised concerns over the availability and cost of Jet A1 aviation fuel, saying the product now sells for more than N2,500 per litre while supplies remain unreliable at some secondary airports.
While welcoming the ongoing reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the AON urged authorities to involve airlines at the design stage to ensure that the project adequately addresses the movement of passengers and aircraft.
An aviation expert, Samuel Caulcrick, supported the airlines’ concerns over union disruptions, citing a previous dispute involving Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.
Caulcrick noted that Bi-Courtney had secured a Federal High Court order restraining unions from disrupting operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, but alleged that union members subsequently blocked entrances and disrupted activities despite the court order.
He acknowledged the importance of workers’ rights and freedom of association but argued that industrial action should not be allowed to cripple business operations.
The latest warning by the AON raises concerns over the potential impact of another major industrial disruption on Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly on passengers and businesses that rely heavily on domestic air travel.
