AON threatens nationwide airline shutdown if unions disrupt operations again
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) warned that any repeat of the August 11 disruption against its member airlines will trigger an immediate industry-wide shutdown. Back in August, union actions blocked Air Peace terminals at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed Airport and Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, stranding passengers and disrupting over 70 Air Peace flights (estimated N2 billion loss) and 30+ United Nigeria Airlines flights affecting 13,000+ travelers. The AON described this as a 'violent disruptive action' that injured workers and exposed airport security weaknesses.
The threat stems from an ongoing dispute over the 5% Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and unionization rights, with unions alleging airlines block workers from joining trade unions while AON claims payments are already arranged with the NCAA. Beyond labor issues, AON cited operational challenges including Jet A1 fuel at N2,500/litre, congested airport parking, and infrastructure constraints contributing to delays—NCAA data showed 4,765 of 7,961 domestic flights delayed in August.
AON insists passenger, worker, and aircraft protection must prevail over disputes, calling for improved security procedures and airline involvement in Lagos airport reconstruction. For travelers, this means potential sudden stranded situations if unions repeat terminal blockades—know your rights for refunds/rebooking, monitor airline advisories closely, and consider flexible travel plans during peak dispute periods.