Nigerian airlines are resuming local flight schedules across major airports after joint aviation labor unions agreed to temporarily suspend their picketing of domestic terminals in Lagos and Abuja.
The decision follows hours of operational paralysis triggered by early-morning blockades by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE). The disruption left thousands of passengers stranded and forced carriers including Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines to delay or pause scheduled flights.
The temporary suspension was reached following direct intervention by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which appealed for a truce pending high-level talks convened by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Airlines have commenced rescheduling stranded passengers and clearing a massive backlog of flights after union members vacated check-in counters and terminal access gates at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Carriers that had earlier halted services to safeguard passenger safety confirmed that flight operations are being systematically restored across their domestic routes.
In a updated operational notice, United Nigeria Airlines confirmed the resumption of passenger processing and schedule realignments:
“We are closely monitoring the situation and have begun steps to resume full operations as normalcy returns to the affected terminals.
“Passengers whose flights were affected during the pause in service are being notified of updated schedules. We appreciate the patience of our valued customers and remain committed to upholding safety above all else.”
Similarly, Air Peace confirmed that terminal entrances at MMA1, MMA2, and Abuja Airport have been cleared, allowing flight dispatch and ground handling teams to resume duties.
The truce comes after NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo issued an urgent directive urging labor leaders to “sheathe their swords” and allow administrative mediation over disputes concerning staff unionization rights and unremitted statutory charges.
The regulator noted that a previously scheduled resolution meeting was delayed due to non-attendance by certain airline representatives, but assured stakeholders that comprehensive talks would commence immediately upon the aviation minister’s arrival.
“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 in an official appeal.
“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.”
Union executives cautioned that while terminal access has been restored to ease passenger distress, the industrial dispute remains active until formal binding agreements regarding worker representation and remittance of regulatory fees are concluded.
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