Passengers stranded at Abuja airport as unions strike in Lagos

Nigerian airports handled 3.65m passengers in 2018 Q2 

Some domestic air passengers were stranded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, on Wednesday, following protests by the Aviation Joint Unions at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Lagos.

The unions involved in the shutdown are Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

The unions had embarked on the protest over the alleged sacking of 20 employees by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited who the unions said had indicated interest to unionise.

The Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 is being operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.

According to reports, Dana Air, Azman Air, Aero Contractors, Max Air and Medview Airlines check-in counters at the NAIA were scanty, while Arik and Air Peace were processing their passengers.

An airport official who pleaded anonymity told journalists that Arik and Air Peace were having normal flight activities because they both operated from the General Aviation Terminal of MMA.

He said that the airlines that had their operational base at MMA2 had made arrangements to commence operations from the GAT.