AON Alleges Targeted Picketing Of Air Peace, United Nigeria
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has questioned the rationale behind the August 11 picketing of airlines at the Lagos and Abuja airports, alleging that Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines were specifically targeted by aviation unions.
AON spokesperson and Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, made the allegation while speaking at the 30th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos.
The conference, themed “Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth,” brought together major stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges and prospects of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Okonkwo alleged that the unions’ action was initially targeted at bringing down Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines, but said the plan was later modified after concerns were raised over its possible interpretation along ethnic lines.
“For those gathered here, let me be clear: the plan was to bring down Air Peace and United Nigeria. It was only at midnight that some inspiration came, and they realised that targeting both airlines might seem like a tribal war. That is why they backed down on United Nigeria, planning to target it the next day,” he said.
He described the airport picketing as shameful, arguing that airlines were among the better-paying employers in the country.
According to him, the action could have caused significant disruption to the aviation industry if not for the reactions and condemnation from stakeholders.
Okonkwo commended the Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiative (ASRTI) and Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju (rtd.) for publicly condemning the action. He, however, expressed disappointment that some stakeholders who he believed should have spoken out remained silent.
The dispute followed the August 11 picketing of Air Peace by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The action reportedly disrupted more than 70 flights and was linked by the unions to allegations that the AON had failed to remit the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC).
The unions also accused some airlines of preventing workers from joining trade unions, further escalating tensions between organised labour and airline operators.
However, ATSSSAN National President, John Ogbe, rejected the suggestion that the unions’ activities were intended to disrupt airline operations.
Ogbe said the unions’ efforts to organise workers in the aviation sector were aimed at promoting partnership, protecting workers’ rights and ensuring stability within the industry.
He maintained that union membership was a matter of choice protected by the Nigerian Constitution, the Trade Union Act and relevant International Labour Organisation conventions.
“Our effort is not to cause disruption but to collaborate, as unions are social partners to airlines. The unions support any initiative that will create a financially robust industry, peaceful and safe aviation,” Ogbe said.
The disagreement has renewed concerns over the relationship between airline operators and organised labour, particularly amid rising operating costs, regulatory obligations and the financial pressures confronting Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The dispute also highlights the broader challenge of balancing the financial sustainability of airlines with government revenue requirements and workers’ rights, as stakeholders continue to seek measures to ensure the stability and growth of the industry.
