Nigeria No Local Flights as Aviation Unions Barricade Airports Over Minimum Wage Dispute

Aviation unions lock down airports, grounding local flights in minimum wage strike.

International flight operations on Tuesday morning continued as local airports remain shut down following the indefinite strike action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the Federal Government's refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage from N60,000. Passengers who had planned to board flights to different local destinations are still barred from boarding their flights as aviation unions locked the entrance gates to the domestic terminal of the Lagos airport.

Airlines scheduled to take off from Lagos and Abuja airports were denied access to the terminals, thereby crippling flight operations. In a letter sent on Sunday by the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the secretary general stated that they are aware of the complaints and hardship being faced by all working-class people, but the federal government did not reason to pay acceptable wages.

The letter further stated that the non-challant attitude of the national assembly on the face-off between organized labour and the federal government is unacceptable. It directed all ANAP members and aviation workers to stay away from work at midnight on Sunday, 2nd June 2024, as directed by both the NLC and TUC until further notice.

Unions carrying placards and banners were stationed around the domestic terminals in large numbers to press home their demand. The situation at the Abuja airport mirrors that of Lagos, as unions also barricaded the terminal entrances. Travelers were advised to return home, awaiting a resolution between organized labour and the Federal Government.

In a statement, United Nigeria Airlines disclosed that none of its scheduled flights has been permitted to depart the airport, significantly affecting its services and operations. Ibom Air and Air Peace also confirmed their inability to operate local flights due to the strike action, with Air Peace stating that it was only able to operate regional and international flights.

BusinessDay learned that the aviation unions would be joining the National Executive Council meeting by 9 pm on Tuesday to reach an agreement on the minimum wage issue. Sources suggest that the strike may be called off today if the federal government, the TUC, and NLC reach a favorable conclusion.