Labour Unions Disrupt Air Peace Operations, Cause Losses

On Tuesday, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) conducted a picketing exercise that disrupted operations at Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline. This protest occurred at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, resulting in the cancellation of approximately 80 flights and financial losses exceeding N2 billion.

The picketing also prompted United Nigeria Airlines and Enugu Air to temporarily suspend their operations. The unions protested against the five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) owed to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the lack of unionization for airline workers.

On August 10, 2026, the unions issued an ultimatum to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) regarding unresolved labor issues. They claimed domestic airlines are withholding over N25 billion in statutory funds due to the NCAA, which has hindered the implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).