Labour Unions Ground Flights in Nigeria Over TSC Dispute

On the morning of the disruption, around 5 am, members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), under the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), initiated a picketing action at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. This led to the cancellation and rescheduling of more than 100 flights, significantly affecting passengers, including those with connecting flights.

Air Peace cancelled 50 percent of its daily operations, while United Nigeria Airlines cancelled over 30 flights. The unions accused domestic airlines of failing to remit over N30 billion in TSC collected from passengers, which is essential for funding aviation agencies and workers' welfare.

They also alleged that some airlines prevented employees from joining trade unions. In response, some Air Peace employees staged a counter-protest, asserting their ongoing engagement with management.

This action followed a three-day strike notice issued by the unions, who had warned of potential industrial action since August 4.