LAGOS — Air Peace has estimated its financial losses from the picketing of its operations by aviation unions at more than N2 billion and called on the Federal Government to investigate the incident.
The disruption followed a three-day ultimatum issued on August 7 by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
The unions had demanded the remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and an end to what they described as the refusal of some airlines to allow unrestricted unionisation of workers.
Following the failure to resolve the issues, the unions, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), picketed Air Peace operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Air Peace Chief Operating Officer, Oluwatoyin Olajide, said on Wednesday that the airline had suffered significant financial losses as a result of the action.
Addressing journalists at the airline’s headquarters in Lagos, Olajide called on the Federal Government, security agencies, airport authorities and aviation regulators to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.
“The disruption has caused significant financial damage to Air Peace, estimated at over N2 billion, while thousands of passengers had their journeys disrupted. Our passengers equally have constitutional rights, including the right to travel without unlawful interference,” she said.
She alleged that some Air Peace employees were assaulted during the protest.
“Yesterday, some of our employees were physically assaulted while peacefully expressing that choice, including a female employee who was left bleeding and bruised. We ask: how can workers’ rights be defended by violently attacking workers exercising their own constitutional rights?” Olajide said.
She also questioned how protesters gained access to restricted airport areas.
“The incident also raises serious questions about airport security. How were individuals able to gain access to and disrupt operations within a highly controlled airport environment?” she asked.
Olajide said the incident had also raised concerns among the airline’s international partners and aircraft lessors about Nigeria’s aviation business environment.
She alleged that the action violated an existing Federal High Court judgment obtained on April 26, 2024, by Air Peace employees against the NLC, TUC, NUATE, the Inspector-General of Police and other unions.
According to her, the judgment declared unlawful any attempt by the unions to compel Air Peace employees to join them against their will.
She said the court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the unions from harassing Air Peace employees or causing or instigating breaches of peace likely to endanger the lives and property of the airline’s staff and management.
“The court also ordered the police to ensure compliance with this judgement throughout the federation,” she said.
Olajide further alleged that the picketing constituted unlawful interference under international and Nigerian civil aviation regulations and urged the relevant authorities to act.
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