Airlines operators threaten nationwide shut down over union disruptions

Domestic airlines operating under the Airline Operators of Nigeria group have warned they may stop flights nationwide if aviation unions disrupt any member airline’s operations again.

This warning comes after Air Peace flights were disrupted in Lagos and Abuja on August 11, which the AON said seriously affected operations at both airports.

The association shared this warning in a statement released after its General Meeting in Abuja and sent it to journalists on Monday.

The airline operators criticised what they called “violent disruptive action” by aviation unions and other groups. They said the August 11 protest stopped activities at Terminals 1 and 2 of Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The AON said union members allegedly blocked access to Air Peace’s departure terminals, check-in counters, offices, and other work areas during the protest.

Part of the dispute between airlines and aviation unions centres partly on statutory payments to government agencies. Airlines have pushed back against some of these payments, but unions say not paying could affect aviation safety.

The unions also said some airlines have prevented workers from joining labour groups and described these actions as unacceptable.

But the AON said the disruption on August 11 was more than just a labour dispute, since it affected passengers, airline staff, and airport security.

The association claimed that some airline workers faced violence during the incident, and several employees were reportedly injured while doing their jobs.

Passengers were affected too, as flights were cancelled or delayed. Many travellers were stranded, and airlines had to rebook them, arrange accommodation, and issue refunds.

The AON said the disruption affected more than 70 Air Peace flights, leading to estimated losses of over N2bn.

It also said that over 30 United Nigeria Airlines flights were disrupted, affecting bout 13,000 passengers.s.

The operators said they faced extra costs from moving aircraft and crew, rescheduling flights, and other recovery efforts.

According to the association, the additional costs came at a difficult time for domestic airlines, which are already facing high aviation fuel prices and rising aircraft maintenance expenses linked to foreign exchange.

The AON said its members had therefore agreed that any recurrence of the August incident would lead to an industry-wide response.

“To this end therefore, the AON would like to state in unequivocal terms that should the events of August 11, 2026, repeat themselves again against any domestic airline, the entire AON member airlines will immediately shut down operations,” the communiqué stated.

The association also raised concerns about airport security, arguing that protesters’ ability to access and block airline terminals exposed vulnerabilities in existing security arrangements.

It referenced the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Annex 17 on unlawful interference, warning that the August incident could have significant implications for Nigeria’s aviation industry both locally and internationally.

On flight delays and cancellations, the operators maintained that disruptions were not deliberately caused by airlines because carriers suffer financial and reputational losses whenever passengers are delayed or flights are cancelled.

The AON attributed operational disruptions to several factors, including adverse weather, congested aircraft parking facilities at Lagos and Abuja airports, restricted operating hours at some secondary airports, VIP movements, bird strikes, foreign object damage, fuel shortages, inefficient air traffic management and inadequate airport infrastructure.

The association also raised concerns over the rising cost and availability of aviation fuel, saying Jet A1 currently sells for more than N2,500 per litre and remains difficult to obtain consistently at some secondary airports.

While commending the ongoing reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the AON urged the authorities to involve airline operators from the early stages of the project.

The association said airlines should be allowed to contribute to the design process to help identify potential challenges that could hinder the smooth movement of passengers and aircraft once the reconstruction is completed.