Aviation unions open airport terminals as flight operations resume

Aviation unions open airport terminals as flight operations resume

Flight operations have resumed at major  airports in Nigeria after labour unions suspended their nationwide strike on Tuesday.

Aviation unions have opened barricaded airport terminals, following suspension of the indefinite strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Francis Akinjole, General Secretary of Air Traffic Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), said the strike was ‘relaxed’ for a week to enable the unions to continue talk with the Federal Government on a new minimum wage.

Akinjole said all blocked access points at the Lagos domestic airport terminals I (General Aviation Terminal) and II (Murtala Muhammed Airport II) and others had been opened.

Alale Adedayo, President General of Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), said that the organised labour had accepted Federal Government’s offer for continued negotiations.

Adedayo said that flight operations had resumed on the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.

It was also learnt that the situation was the same in other major airports such as Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that activities at the domestic wing are in full swing.

Passengers were seen boarding Value Jet, Ibom Air, Arik Air and United Nigeria Airline at Murtala Mohammed Airport II managed by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd.

Muyioluwa Maraiyese, a Value Jet passenger going to Abuja, said he expected the labour unions to barricade roads during the strike to disallow road transport since they disrupted flight operations.

However, at the Lagos to Abuja check-in stand of the Air Peace, it was announced that flights had been rescheduled.

An aggrieved passenger of the airline, Monalisa Phillip, said the airline did not give any reason for the flight reschedule.

NAN reports that the NLC and TUC on Tuesday suspended the indefinite strike for a week to enable continued negotiations with the Federal Government on a new minimum wage.

The unions embarked on the strike on Monday following inconclusiveness of negotiations on a new minimum wage.