Aviation unions' industrial action on Tuesday caused major operational disruptions for Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines, leading to dozens of flight cancellations and affecting thousands of passengers. Air Peace reported financial losses exceeding ₦2 billion, while United Nigeria saw more than 30 flights affected.
Air Peace's Financial and Operational Impact
At a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, Air Peace's Chief Operating Officer, Oluwatoyin Olajide, stated that over 70 Air Peace flights were affected, resulting in substantial financial losses. The initial estimate of losses was over ₦1 billion, but the final figure surpassed ₦2 billion. The disruption lasted several hours, stemming from a dispute between aviation unions and domestic airlines over the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and allegations regarding workers' freedom to join trade unions.
Air Peace maintained it had been complying with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) directives on TSC remittance. Mrs Olajide questioned why Air Peace was singled out for picketing if the TSC dispute involved the entire industry. She also denied allegations that the airline prevented employees from joining unions, stating that workers had voluntarily chosen not to unionise.
Allegations of Assault and Legal Context
Mrs Olajide alleged that the disruption went beyond picketing, with some Air Peace employees, including a female employee, being physically assaulted. The airline said it had evidence to assist authorities and called for an independent investigation into the picketing events. Air Peace also referenced a 2024 Federal High Court judgment that restrained labour unions from coercing its employees into union membership or disrupting operations.
United Nigeria Airlines' Disruption
United Nigeria Airlines also suffered significant disruption, with more than 30 flights affected. A senior official, speaking anonymously, said several aircraft scheduled for multiple sectors were impacted, including Boeing jets, CRJ aircraft, Embraer 190s, and Embraer 145s. Two Boeing aircraft (175 passengers each) were to operate four sectors each, two CRJ aircraft (90 passengers each) also had four sectors, two Embraer 190s (110 passengers each) and two Embraer 145s (50 passengers each) were also affected. The official estimated that United Nigeria could have transported about 1,200 passengers had the disruption not occurred.
The suspension of some operations showed that the impact extended beyond Air Peace, affecting passengers on other carriers and those on connecting flights. Cancellations and delays in Lagos and Abuja disrupted onward journeys, forcing passengers to rearrange accommodation, business meetings, and other commitments, while airlines reorganised aircraft and crew schedules.
Union Response and Ongoing Dispute
The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) rejected Air Peace's allegations. Secretary-General Francis Akinjole said the union would respond at the appropriate time, describing the allegations as baseless and misinformation. He rejected the claim that the union had selectively targeted Air Peace, asking, “Are they the ones to tell us how to carry out our struggle?” He added, “At the appropriate time, we will speak and react properly. We have seen a lot of the narratives they are spinning, and we will address them all when the time is right.”
The disruption adds pressure to Nigeria's aviation sector, already grappling with high operating costs, fuel prices, and multiple charges. While unions temporarily suspended the action and airlines resumed operations, the underlying dispute over TSC and unionisation rights remains unresolved, with unions indicating further action could follow if issues are not addressed.
