FAAN advises travellers as aviation workers begin two-day strike

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has advised air travellers to make contingency plans to avoid missing their appointments as aviation workers today begin a two-day strike.

The advisory was issued in a statement on Monday in Abuja by the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) , noting that the industrial action could adversely affect scheduled flight operations.

The agency said the management of the NAIA would open the airport for operation as usual.

It warned that passengers “may however wish to note that there may be disruptions in flights operations as a result of the planned strike action”.

The authority expressed regret over any inconvenience that passenger might experience.

FAAN said, “The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, wishes to inform the general public of the aviation union’s planned two-day warning strike scheduled to start Monday April 17, 2023.

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“Intending passengers and stakeholders are kindly advised and note so as to make contingency plans in order to avoid missing their flights and appointments. Any inconvenience experienced is highly regretted.”

Last Friday, the aviation unions announced plans to embark on the warning strike to protest poor working conditions and unpaid entitlements.

The unions are the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).

Others are the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees.

The workers are demanding the approval and implementation of the condition of service, (CoS) as agreed between them and the Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the office of the head of civil service of the federation, and other agencies.

They also want the non-implementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, (NiMet) since 2019 and the planned demolition exercise of all the agency buildings in Lagos by the minister of aviation for an airport city project.

Meanwhile, heads of the aviation agencies reportedly held a zoom meeting with the national leaders of the unions and pleaded with them to convince their members to shelve the strike, pointing out the devastating impact any strike on the industry.

They also promised to ensure that the demands of the unions are met.

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)