Air Peace Limited has announced temporary disruptions to its flight operations following the picketing of its facilities and an ongoing industrial action by aviation unions at major airports across the country.
In a statement issued by the airline’s management on Tuesday, Air Peace said the action by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, led to the barricading of entrances to its departure terminals at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, covering both Alpha and Zulu Terminals, Terminal 2 in Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal in Abuja.
According to the airline, the blockade restricted access to the affected terminals and prevented the departure of scheduled flights from Lagos and Abuja.
As a result, passengers booked to travel across the Air Peace network have been significantly impacted.
“Air Peace sincerely apologises to all affected and stranded passengers for the disruption and inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control,” the statement read.
The airline added that passengers scheduled to travel later on Tuesday are being contacted and provided with updates as the situation evolves.
Management said it continues to closely monitor developments and will issue further updates as necessary.
The industrial action is the latest escalation in a dispute between aviation unions and some domestic airlines over allegations of restricting workers from unionizing freely and the non-remittance of the 5% Ticket Sales Charge meant for aviation agencies.
The unions had earlier given notice of picketing and warned they were prepared to strike “at any time without further notice.”
Air Peace appealed to passengers for patience and understanding as it navigates the situation, assuring that updates will be communicated promptly once normal operations resume.
