Passengers were left stranded in Abuja and Lagos on Tuesday after aviation unions shut down operations at Air Peace during a protest over workers’ unionisation and the alleged non-remittance of the 5 per cent Ticket Sales Charge.
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) led the picketing.
The unions received backing from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as they began the action in the early hours of Tuesday.
The dispute has now moved beyond a disagreement between labour and the airline, with the industrial action directly affecting passengers and flight operations.
The unions accused Air Peace and other domestic airlines of making it difficult for employees to freely join trade unions.
According to the unions, some workers fear discrimination or victimisation if they express an interest in union membership.
They want affected airlines to issue clear statements confirming that employees can join unions of their choice without facing punishment or discrimination.
The unions said they had given the airlines several weeks to address their concerns before beginning the picketing exercise.
The second major issue involves the 5 per cent Ticket Sales Charge, which the unions say airlines collect from passengers but allegedly fail to remit to the appropriate aviation agencies.
The charge provides operational funding for aviation agencies, according to the unions.
Labour groups have accused some airlines of withholding the money after collecting it through ticket sales.
The unions said the alleged non-remittance has affected the implementation of negotiated collective bargaining agreements for workers in aviation agencies.
They also warned that the situation could create growing dissatisfaction among aviation workers.
Unions Demand Immediate Remittance
The aviation unions said they want airlines to immediately remit outstanding ticket sales charges.
They also want airlines to formally communicate to their employees that workers have the right to join unions without fear of victimisation.
The unions described their action as a measured response after what they said were several attempts to resolve the dispute.
They had previously issued warnings and a notice of possible industrial action against airlines they accused of violating their demands.
Passengers Bear the Immediate Impact
The picketing has disrupted Air Peace operations in Abuja and Lagos, leaving passengers waiting at airports.
For travellers, the labour dispute has created uncertainty over scheduled flights and travel plans.
The disruption highlights how disputes between airlines, labour unions and aviation authorities can quickly affect members of the public.
Passengers who planned to travel with the airline on Tuesday were therefore caught in the middle of the disagreement.
What Happens Next?
The unions have made clear that they want action on both issues before the dispute is resolved.
They are demanding stronger protection for workers who want to join unions and the payment of outstanding 5 per cent ticket sales charges allegedly owed to aviation agencies.
Air Peace has yet to publicly respond to the allegations in the report, as efforts to reach the airline’s spokesperson had not received a response at the time of filing.
The dispute could therefore continue to affect flight operations if the parties fail to reach an agreement.
A Wider Challenge for Nigeria’s Aviation Industry
The Air Peace picket also raises broader questions about labour relations and financial accountability in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Airlines need stable operations to serve passengers, while aviation agencies depend on statutory charges to fund their activities.
At the same time, aviation workers need effective representation and protection of their workplace rights.
Resolving the dispute will require engagement between airlines, labour unions and aviation authorities.
For passengers, however, the immediate concern remains simple: when will normal flight operations resume?
