*Labour Unions Picket Air Peace Gates In Lagos, Abuja

*NCAA Orders Arrest, Prosecution Of Air Peace Driver For Blocking Runway

THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has appealed to the striking aviation unions to call off the action and exercise restraint, pending “the return” of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who has been working towards resolving the issues.

    The strike left passengers stranded at airports in Lagos and Abuja on Tuesday, August 11, as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) disrupted flight operations in protest over pending demands from domestic airlines.

    The unions picketed Air Peace airline outlets over alleged failure to remit ticket sales charge (TSC) to the NCAA and violations of workers’ unionisation rights.

    Passengers who wanted to board Air Peace flights from 5am were prevented from doing so, while at the Lagos airport, the Zulu terminal gate was locked, making it impossible for passengers scheduled to depart Lagos at 6:30am to do so, thereby leading frustration among the passengers.

    However, in his reaction to the strike and disruption of flight operations are the country’s major airports, NCAA, in a statement signed by its Director General, Chris Najomo, said the issues could have been addressed at a meeting convened by the minister last week, but could not hold, as the airline operators failed to honour the invitation.

    While assuring travellers that flight safety remained uncompromised and the authority continued to discharge its statutory safety oversight responsibilities, NCAA said: “We appeal to all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation.

    “We are confident that the matter will be resolved shortly and normal flight operations will resume as soon as practicable.”

    The strike forced major airlines to cancel their scheduled inward and outward bound flights. United Nigeria Airlines announced a temporary suspension of its flight operations to protect the safety of its passengers and crew, “which remains our priority at all times.”

    It noted that rather than compromise on safety, it chose to suspend operations until normalcy is restored, adding: “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you and thank you for your understanding.

    “We are closely monitoring the situation and will resume full operations once the situation normalizes.”

    The airline promised to keep affected passengers informed of updated flight schedules, advising them to contact its customer care team for further assistance.

    On its part, Air Peace, while announcing a temporary disruption to its flight operations, said: “The ongoing industrial action has resulted in the barricading of the entrances to our departure terminals at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Alpha and Zulu Terminals) and Terminal 2 in Lagos, as well as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal in Abuja.

    “The blockade has restricted access to these terminals, preventing the departure of scheduled flights from Lagos and Abuja.

    “Consequently, passengers scheduled to travel across our network have been significantly affected by the disruption to flight operations.

    “Air Peace sincerely apologises to all affected and stranded passengers for the disruption and inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control.

    “Passengers scheduled to travel later today are being contacted and provided with relevant updates as the situation evolves.

    “Air Peace continues to closely monitor developments and will provide further updates as necessary.

    “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our passengers as we navigate this situation.”

     The aviation workers, under the aegis of ATSSSAN and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), had been issuing a series of ultimatum to airline operators and other organisations since July, warning of impending strike if the five per cent TSC to the NCAA is not remitted.

    A 14-day ultimatum issued by unions to the airline operators over the non-remittance of the TSC expired on August 3.

    Meanwhile, NCAA has ordered the arrest and prosecution of Air Peace driver for blocking the Lagos airport runway during the picketing of the airline.

    It was gathered that while enforcing the picketing, the bus driver allegedly drove into the airside and left his bus there in protest against the picketing until FAAN towed the vehicle away to allow for free movement within the airside.

    NCAA spokesman, Michael Achimugu, vowed that appropriate sanctions will be taken against the yet-to-be-identified driver, saying: “I was able to gather from the other agency that during the enforcement of the picketing, a driver drove the large bus to the runway, parked and left the place.

    “We have ordered that the driver in question be identified and arrested for onward prosecution.

    “How can somebody block the runway? That is seriously uncalled for. We’ll investigate and the necessary portions of the act will be invoked.”

However, Air Peace spokesperson, Efe Whiskey-Osifo, dismissed the allegation, saying the vehicle did not block the runway.