Air Peace Flights Disrupted in Lagos, Abuja as Unions Shut Terminals Over ₦25bn Claim

Air Peace operations were thrown into disarray on Tuesday as aviation labour unions picketed the airline’s facilities at airports in Lagos and Abuja, disrupting flights and leaving passengers stranded.

Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) reportedly converged on Air Peace’s operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday.

The action affected access to the airline’s departure areas and disrupted scheduled flights, with some passengers booked on early-morning services reportedly left waiting at the airports.

In Lagos, the disruption reportedly affected access to Air Peace’s terminal areas, while a similar situation was recorded at the airline’s Abuja operations. Passengers complained of delays, cancellations, long queues and uncertainty over when flights would resume.

The unions said the action was driven by grievances over two major issues: alleged restrictions on Air Peace employees joining trade unions and alleged failure by the airline to remit the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge collected from passengers.

The labour groups alleged that outstanding ticket sales charges had accumulated to between ₦15 billion and ₦25 billion, with the money reportedly meant for relevant aviation agencies.

The unions are demanding that the alleged arrears be addressed and that workers be allowed to freely exercise their right to belong to trade unions.

However, the dispute took an unusual turn when groups of Air Peace employees publicly rejected the union action and said the protesting organisations did not represent their interests.

Some employees reportedly said they had received regular salaries and enjoyed welfare provisions from the airline, including health maintenance organisation (HMO) coverage and other benefits.

The workers also argued that union membership is a personal choice, citing the constitutional right to freedom of association.

The disagreement between the unions and some Air Peace employees reportedly led to tense scenes at the airport, with allegations of confrontations between protesters and workers who opposed the picketing.

Videos circulating online also showed Air Peace vehicles positioned within airport operational areas in Lagos. The reason for their positioning was not immediately clear, and claims surrounding the footage could not be independently verified.

The industrial action left passengers at the centre of the dispute, with travellers reportedly arriving at the airports only to discover that their flights had been delayed or cancelled.

The disruption was particularly significant because Air Peace operates an extensive domestic network connecting major Nigerian cities. Any prolonged interruption to its schedule could therefore have a wider impact on passenger movement and domestic travel.

Air Peace apologised to affected passengers and said it was working to manage the situation. The airline reportedly began contacting passengers booked on later flights regarding possible rebooking arrangements while asking travellers for patience.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) called on the unions to suspend the industrial action and return to dialogue with the airline and relevant authorities.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also monitored developments at the affected airports and said general airport operations remained ongoing.

Authorities maintained that the labour dispute had not compromised aviation safety.

The latest confrontation has once again exposed deeper tensions within Nigeria’s aviation industry over statutory charges, regulatory compliance, workers’ rights and the financial pressures confronting airlines.

While the unions insist that the protest is necessary to address alleged financial and labour violations, some Air Peace employees maintain that they are satisfied with the airline’s employment conditions and do not support the industrial action.

The dispute also raises questions about how disagreements involving major airlines and labour organisations can be resolved without placing passengers at the centre of prolonged industrial action.

For travellers booked on Air Peace flights, the immediate priority remains determining whether their flights will operate.

Passengers have been advised to confirm their flight status through Air Peace’s official communication channels before travelling to the airport and to follow announcements concerning delays, cancellations and rebooking.

As negotiations and interventions continue, attention will now focus on whether the airline and the unions can reach an agreement and restore normal flight operations.