Aviation Unions Block Nigerian Airports Over Air Peace Dispute

Aviation unions coordinated by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress disrupted domestic flight operations at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on August 11, 2026. The industrial action involved the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.

The unions targeted domestic airlines, specifically Air Peace, alleging that operators blocked employees from unionizing and failed to remit a statutory 5% Ticket Sales Charge intended for aviation agencies. These failures have reportedly stalled collective bargaining agreements. The protests resulted in blockades of departure terminals, stranding passengers. In response, Air Peace reportedly blocked runways in Lagos to prevent other airlines from operating.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority appealed for restraint and noted that Minister Festus Keyamo is working toward a resolution. However, a previous attempt to resolve the dispute failed when airline operators did not attend a scheduled meeting.