Airlines cancel, delay flights as unions shut entrances over strike action

Airlines operating from Lagos airport terminals and other terminals across airports in the country on Monday cancelled and delayed flights as a result of strike action by aviation workers.

Entrances into Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, (MMA2) and General Aviation Terminal (GAT) were blocked, forcing passengers to walk with their luggages into the airport terminals.

For some airlines, their flights were not permitted to depart the airports, leaving passengers stranded across terminals.

BusinessDay had earlier reported that there may be flight delays and cancellations on Monday as aviation workers said they will on Monday June 3, join the indefinite strike action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the Federal Government’s refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.

In a letter by Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, (ANAP) signed by Abudul Rasaq Saidu, secretary general of the association, he stated that they are aware of the complaints and hardship being faced by all working class people “but in spite of the masses outcry the federal government did not reason to do the needful to pay acceptable wages.”

Saidu further stated that “the non-challant attitude of the national assembly on the face-off between the organised labour and the federal government is ridiculous and very unacceptable.

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The letter stated that “in light of the aforementioned, all ANAP members and indeed all aviation workers are here by directed to stay away from work at midnight of Sunday, 2nd June 2024 as directed by both the NLC and TUC till further notice.”

Ado Sanusi, managing director, Aero Contractors who confirmed the development said while flights are being operated, there are delays because of the disruptions caused by aviation workers.

Sanusi said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) are still providing essential services to the airlines but flights are being delayed because passengers are finding it difficult to access the terminals.

In a statement by the United Nigeria Airline, it disclosed that none of its scheduled flights have been permitted to depart the airport significantly affecting its services and operations.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to your travel plans. Please be rest assured that we are actively monitoring the situation to evaluate it’s impact on our operations and will provide updates accordingly,” the airline stated.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.