By Kehinde Ibrahim, Lagos
THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has appealed to aviation unions to suspend their ongoing industrial action and return to the negotiating table, following widespread disruptions to flight operations and the stranding of passengers at major airports across the country.
The aviation regulator said it was concerned about the impact of the industrial action on travellers and the wider aviation sector, urging the unions to exercise restraint pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who it said had been actively engaged in efforts to resolve the issues in dispute.
The NCAA Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday, calling on the unions to “sheathe their swords and exercise restraint” while efforts to resolve the impasse continue.
Najomo said the issues could have been addressed at a meeting convened by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development last week, but the engagement could not take place because airline operators failed to attend the meeting.
“The matter would have been addressed at the meeting convened by the Honourable Minister last week, but the meeting could not hold as the airline operators failed to honour the invitation,” the NCAA stated.
The ongoing industrial action involving members of the Nigeria Labour Congress ,NLC, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ,ATSSSAN, and Trade Union Congress ,TUC, has led to the barricading of entrances to major airport terminals, disrupting scheduled flight operations.
The development has affected both airlines and passengers, with access restrictions at some of the country’s busiest airports preventing scheduled flights from operating as planned.
Air Peace, one of the airlines affected by the industrial action, confirmed that the blockade had restricted access to its departure terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
The airline said its operations at Terminal 1, comprising the Alpha and Zulu terminals, as well as Terminal 2, had been affected by the action.
Air Peace also disclosed that access to its operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja had been disrupted.
According to the airline, the restrictions prevented scheduled flights from departing Lagos and Abuja, leaving a significant number of passengers across its network affected by the development.
“Air Peace sincerely apologises to all affected and stranded passengers for the disruption and inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control,” the carrier said.
The airline explained that it was monitoring the situation closely and keeping passengers informed as developments unfolded.
It added that passengers scheduled to travel later in the day were being contacted and provided with updates concerning their flights.
Air Peace assured customers that further information would be communicated as the situation became clearer, while urging affected passengers to remain patient.
The disruption has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Nigeria’s aviation sector to industrial disputes, particularly when labour actions affect access to airport facilities and the movement of passengers and aircraft.
The NCAA stressed that the industrial action had not compromised aviation safety, maintaining that it continued to discharge its statutory responsibilities as the country’s aviation safety regulator.
“The NCAA assures the travelling public that flight safety remains uncompromised and that the Authority continues to exercise its statutory safety oversight responsibilities,” the regulator said.
The authority appealed to all stakeholders involved in the dispute to embrace dialogue and cooperation, noting that a negotiated resolution remained the most effective way to address the issues and prevent further disruption to air travel.
The NCAA expressed confidence that the impasse would be resolved shortly and that normal flight operations would resume as soon as practicable.
The regulator also acknowledged the difficulties faced by passengers as a result of the disruption, expressing regret over the inconvenience caused to travelers.
“The NCAA regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers and appreciates their patience and understanding,” the Authority said.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns over the economic and operational consequences of prolonged disruptions in the aviation sector, where delays and cancellations can have a ripple effect on passengers, airlines, airports and businesses dependent on air transportation.
With major airports serving as critical links for domestic and international travel, stakeholders have continued to emphasise the need for swift resolution of industrial disputes to minimise further disruption and protect the interests of passengers.
The NCAA maintained that constructive engagement among the unions, airlines and government remained essential to resolving the current dispute and restoring stability to flight operations across the country.
