Flight operations subsequently began to ease following the suspension of the picketing, with Air Peace confirming that its services had resumed
By Mmesoma Onwuka
Aviation unions on Tuesday disrupted flight operations of Air Peace at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, leaving several passengers stranded as they commenced a picketing exercise against the airline.
The industrial action also affected the airline’s operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, with union members blocking access to some Air Peace facilities and preventing passengers from boarding scheduled flights.
The unions’ grievances reportedly centred on alleged anti-union practices by the airline and the non-remittance of the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The disruption had a knock-on effect on domestic air travel, with reports of delays and cancellations affecting other airlines as the action continued.
Air Peace apologised to passengers affected by the disruption, attributing the situation to the union picketing and the blockage of access to its operational facilities.
The airline later announced the resumption of its flight operations after the unions suspended the picketing following the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The minister’s intervention led to an agreement to convene a meeting between the relevant parties to address the issues underlying the dispute.
Although the industrial action disrupted Air Peace operations and affected some passengers, it did not result in a complete shutdown of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Flight operations subsequently began to ease following the suspension of the picketing, with Air Peace confirming that its services had resumed.