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The NCAA appeals to aviation unions to suspend their industrial action and exercise restraint, saying Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo is actively working to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
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The regulator reveals that a crucial peace meeting convened by the minister failed to hold after airline operators did not honour the invitation, delaying efforts to end the crisis.
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Despite widespread flight disruptions and hundreds of stranded passengers, the Authority assures the travelling public that flight safety remains uncompromised and regulatory oversight remains fully in force.
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The NCAA expresses regret over the inconvenience caused by the industrial action, urging all parties to embrace dialogue while expressing confidence that normal flight operations will soon be restored.
August 11, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has appealed to aviation unions to suspend their ongoing industrial action, urging them to “sheathe their swords” and allow ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to resolve the dispute that has disrupted flight operations and stranded hundreds of passengers across the country.
The appeal followed Tuesday’s industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), which crippled Air Peace operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, forcing the airline to suspend several scheduled flights.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, the Authority acknowledged the impact of the labour action on passengers and other stakeholders but urged the unions to exercise restraint pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN).
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is aware of the ongoing industrial action by aviation unions and its impact on passengers and other stakeholders.
“The NCAA appeals to the unions to sheathe their swords and exercise restraint pending the return of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), who has been actively working towards resolving the issues”, the statement read.
The Authority disclosed that the issues leading to the industrial action would have been discussed at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the minister last week, but the meeting could not hold because airline operators failed to honour the invitation.
According to the NCAA, the minister had initiated discussions aimed at resolving the lingering disagreement between airline operators and aviation unions before the industrial action escalated.
READ ALSO: Air Travel Paralysed As NLC, Aviation Unions Shut Airport Terminals, Halt Air Peace Flights
However, the failure of airline operators to attend the scheduled meeting stalled negotiations, allowing the dispute to degenerate into a full-blown industrial action that disrupted flight operations in Nigeria’s busiest airports.
The regulator appealed to all parties to return to the negotiating table, insisting that dialogue remains the most effective means of resolving the crisis without inflicting further hardship on passengers and the aviation industry.
While acknowledging the widespread disruption to airline schedules, the NCAA assured passengers that the industrial action had not compromised aviation safety.
“The NCAA assures the travelling public that flight safety remains uncompromised and that the Authority continues to exercise its statutory safety oversight responsibilities”, Najomo stated.
The Authority further expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved in the shortest possible time.
“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 statement added.
Passengers Count Losses
The industrial action left hundreds of passengers stranded after union members barricaded access to Air Peace departure terminals in Lagos and Abuja, preventing scheduled flights from departing and disrupting travel plans across the airline’s domestic and regional network.
The unions are protesting alleged anti-union practices by some domestic airlines and the non-remittance of the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC), which airlines collect on behalf of the NCAA and other aviation agencies. Union leaders insist repeated warnings and ultimatums were ignored before they resorted to industrial action.
The NCAA, however, expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to travellers and thanked passengers for their patience and understanding as efforts continue to restore industrial harmony and normal flight operations.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
