Airlines Suspend Operations Indefinitely As Unions Shut Airports

Some local airlines on Monday indefinitely shut down operations over the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the labour unions across the nation.

Newsmen reports that aviation unions had on Sunday, unanimously agreed to comply with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) for an indefinite strike over the failure of the federal government to conclude on the national minimum wage and refusal to reverse the electricity tariff hike.

The complying aviation unions include the National Union of Air Transport Employee (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

The unions had notified that Nigerian local airports will be shut by 00:00hrs on Monday, June 3rd, 2024 while the closure of the international airports commences on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024.

However, air passengers are currently stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos as labour unions shut down the airports.

With the shutdown, passengers are unable to board their flights to their respective destinations.

A visit to the airport showed that the gates of the were under locks and keys, thereby making it impossible for flight operations to take place.

Local airline operators have notified their stranded customers of operations shutdown until further notice.

One of the operators, Ibom Air for instance announced the suspension of its flight operations until further notice.

In making announcement, Ibom Air stated that it was unable to dispatch any of its scheduled flights to their various destinations

"Ibom Air regrets to inform our esteemed passengers that, due to the ongoing nationwide labour strike, we are unable to dispatch any of our scheduled flights to your various destinations.

"The safety and well-being of our passengers and staff remain our highest priority. Consequently, our flight operations have been suspended until further notice. We regret the inconvenience we know this situation has caused and sincerely apologize.

"Please be assured that we are fully committed to resuming normal operations once the strike is called off. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this period," the airline announced.

On its part, Arik Air, in its travel advisory to its customers, said affected stranded customers have an option of rebooking or rescheduling the flights at no additional cost.

"Customers whose flights may have been affected by the NLC action will have the option of rebooking/rescheduling the flights at no additional cost.

"Due to the national strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) which took effect from Monday, June 3, 2024, our flight operations have been disrupted across the country.

"We therefore appeal to all our valued customers to please bear with us as their flights may be delayed or cancelled as a result of the strike action. We will continue to monitor the situation and give updates as events unfold.

"Customers whose flights may have been affected by the NLC action will have the option of rebooking/rescheduling the flights at no additional cost," Arik Air announced.