FLIGHT OPERATIONS RESUME AFTER SUSPENSION OF STRIKE

FLIGHT OPERATIONS RESUME AFTER SUSPENSION OF STRIKE

Flight operations have resumed at international and domestic airports in Nigeria after organised labour ‘relaxed’ its strike action on Tuesday.

Aviation unions had barricaded airport terminals, following the indefinite strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress on Monday.

The General Secretary, Air Traffic Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Mr Francis Akinjole, on Tuesday told the News Agency of Nigeria that the strike was ‘relaxed’ for a week to enable the unions to continue talks with the Nigerian Government on a new minimum wage.

Akinjole said all blocked access points at the domestic airport terminals I (General Aviation Terminal) and II (Murtala Muhammed Airport II, Lagos) and others had been opened.

Similarly, the President General of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Mr Alale Adedayo, said that organised labour had accepted the government’s offer for continued negotiations.

Adedayo said that flight operations had resumed on the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, activities at the domestic wing are in full swing as passengers were seen boarding Value Jet, Ibom Air, Arik Air and United Nigeria Airline at Murtala Mohammed Airport II managed by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd.

A Value Jet passenger going to Abuja, Muyioluwa Maraiyese, said that he expected the labour unions to barricade roads during the strike to disallow road transport since they disrupted flight operations.

However, at the Lagos to Abuja check-in stand of the Air Peace, it was announced that flights had been rescheduled.

An aggrieved passenger, Monalisa Phillip, said that the airline did not give any reason for the flight re-scheduling.