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After a tense standoff between Turkish Airlines and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has successfully brokered a temporary truce. This development comes after a disruptive labour dispute led to the grounding of the airline’s operations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
The dispute arose over allegations of employee dismissals by the airline management, with claims of anti-union activities. In response, NUATE, in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), initiated industrial action, resulting in the disruption of Turkish Airlines’ operations.
However, following intervention by the regulatory body, the NCAA, a temporary resolution has been reached. NUATE has agreed to suspend further disruptions of Turkish Airlines’ operations in Lagos and Abuja to facilitate the airlifting of stranded passengers. This decision was made after a meeting between representatives of the NCAA, Turkish Airlines management, and NUATE.
According to NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu, Turkish Airlines will now proceed with the airlifting of delayed travellers as part of the peace agreement. This move aims to alleviate the plight of passengers who have been inconvenienced by the disruption.
While acknowledging the temporary truce, Olabisi Idowu, Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of the NLC, emphasized that the union’s demands must still be met. The NLC insists on the reinstatement of sacked employees and vows to continue picketing until their demands are addressed.
The resolution meeting involved representatives from NUATE, led by General Secretary Aba Ochema, as well as officials from the NCAA and Turkish Airlines. With the agreement in place, Turkish Airlines is expected to gradually resume its operations and restore normalcy to passenger travel.
