Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines faced significant operational disruptions due to the industrial action by aviation unions, leading to the cancellation and alteration of numerous flights.
Air Peace reported a financial loss exceeding ₦2 billion, with more than 70 of its flights affected, while United Nigeria Airlines suspended multiple operations.
The dispute centered around the five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and allegations regarding workers’ rights to join unions.
Air Peace’s COO, Oluwatoyin Olajide, defended the airline’s compliance with aviation regulations and criticized the targeted picketing, claiming that employees chose not to unionize voluntarily.
She highlighted incidents of physical assault against staff during the disruptions and called for an independent investigation, invoking a court ruling that prohibited unions from coercing employees or disrupting operations.
United Nigeria Airlines experienced significant operational disruptions due to industrial action, affecting more than 30 flights. The airline reported that various aircraft types, including Boeing jets and Embraer models, were impacted.
A senior official estimated that approximately 1,200 passengers could have been transported if not for the disruptions.
The repercussions extended beyond United Nigeria, impacting passengers on connecting flights and necessitating rearrangements for cancelled or postponed journeys. Additionally, airlines faced challenges in reorganizing schedules as services resumed.
The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has rejected claims made by Air Peace and plans to respond at an appropriate time.
Secretary-General Francis Akinjole labelled the airline’s allegations as baseless and questioned the notion that the union selectively targeted Air Peace.
He emphasized that the union would address the airline’s claims in detail later, adding that the ongoing dispute occurs amid high costs and operational challenges in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Though the union temporarily suspended industrial action, the underlying issues between unions and airline operators remain unresolved, with the potential for further action if necessary.