The Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI) has condemned the ongoing picketing of airport terminals by aviation labour unions, describing the action as disruptive and harmful to Nigeria’s aviation sector.
ASRTI President, Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju (rtd.), said the unions should pursue workers’ demands through lawful channels, particularly as the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, is already mediating the dispute over the non-remittance of Ticket Sales Charges and Cargo Sales Charges to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Onitiju argued that regulatory agencies and government institutions were responsible for recovering outstanding debts and enforcing statutory penalties. He said labour unions should not disrupt critical infrastructure or public services while mediation and established dispute-resolution procedures were ongoing.
He warned that continued airport blockades could inconvenience passengers, affect airline operations and damage confidence in Nigeria’s aviation industry. ASRTI also opposed reported plans to picket airlines over the charges and called for disputes involving workers and employers to be resolved through appropriate legal and administrative channels.
The industrial action has already affected domestic flight operations, with United Nigeria Airlines announcing a temporary suspension of services because of disruptions at airports. The airline said the decision was taken to protect passengers and crew and assured affected travellers that revised schedules would be provided.
ASRTI urged the unions to immediately suspend airport picketing and allow the ministerial mediation process to continue, stressing that dialogue and established legal mechanisms remained the appropriate path to resolving the dispute.
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