AON Threatens Nationwide Flight Shutdown Over Union Disruptions
By Cynthia Okere, Lagos
The Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, has threatened to shut down domestic flight operations nationwide if aviation unions again disrupt the operations of any of its member airlines.
The warning followed the August 11, 2026 picketing of Air Peace operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, which disrupted flights and left passengers stranded.
In a communiqué issued after its general meeting held in Abuja, AON condemned the incident, alleging that union members blocked access to departure terminals, check-in counters, offices and workstations, preventing airline employees from carrying out their duties.
The association said it had adopted a collective position that any recurrence of such disruption against a domestic airline would result in the immediate suspension of operations by its members nationwide.
According to AON, more than 70 Air Peace flights were affected during the August incident, with estimated losses exceeding ₦2 billion.
It added that more than 30 United Nigeria Airlines flights were disrupted, affecting about 13,000 passengers. Airlines also incurred additional costs from passenger rebooking, accommodation, refunds, crew repositioning and aircraft rescheduling.
The operators also raised concerns about airport security, arguing that the obstruction of airline terminals and operational areas exposed vulnerabilities that require attention from aviation authorities.
AON maintained that disputes involving airlines and labour unions should not be allowed to compromise passenger movement, airline operations or safety and security within the airport environment.
Unions Explain August Action
The August picketing followed disagreements between aviation unions and some domestic airlines over the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and the right of airline employees to belong to trade unions.
The National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, with support from organised labour, had accused airlines of failing to remit statutory charges and raised concerns over the unionisation of workers.
The unions subsequently suspended the industrial action following the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
AON, however, maintained that airlines had been making payments under arrangements with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, while the unions have continued to insist that their concerns include statutory remittances and workers’ rights.
The latest warning raises concerns about the potential impact of another confrontation between airline operators and organised labour on passengers and domestic air travel, particularly at Lagos and Abuja airports, which serve as major hubs for domestic flight operations.