The Nigerian aviation industry has been shut down for two days due to a warning strike by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees.
The unions are demanding the approval and implementation of the condition of service (CoS) agreed upon between them and the Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for nine years. They also demanded the implementation of the minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) since 2019, and the reversal of the planned demolition of agency buildings in Lagos by the minister of aviation for an airport city project.
Despite last-minute efforts by the government, the unions successfully blocked access to the aviation industry across the nation, leading to a nationwide standstill of the industry. The unions warned airlines flying into the Nigerian airspace as well as domestic airlines to make alternative plans and contact their passengers. The effects of the shutdown were seen in Lagos with massive gridlock building around Ikeja and its environs as the unions blocked access gates, cutting off vehicular movement. Travelers were seen carrying bags to meet up with flights that may not service them, and airlines were bearing the brunt of the force.
Airline operators were prepared to fly, but they expressed fear that passengers would blame them at the tail end, whereas the matter was of no concern to them. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) advised air travelers to make contingency plans to avoid missing their appointments as aviation workers began the two-day strike.
FAAN warned that passengers “may however wish to note that there may be disruptions in flight operations as a result of the planned strike action” but assured passengers that the management of the airports would open for operation as usual. The unions are scheduled to meet with government agencies to discuss their demands further.
