Air Peace Cancels Flights as Labour Picketing Blocks Lagos, Abuja Airport Terminals
Air Peace has announced temporary disruptions to its flight operations following the ongoing industrial action and picketing of airport facilities by organised labour unions in Lagos and Abuja.
The airline said the industrial 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) had prevented access to some of its departure terminals, forcing scheduled flights from Lagos and Abuja to be disrupted.
In a statement issued by the management of Air Peace, the airline said entrances to its departure terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja had been barricaded as part of the ongoing industrial action.
The affected facilities in Lagos include Terminal 1, comprising the Alpha and Zulu terminals, as well as Terminal 2.
The airline also identified the terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as another facility affected by the industrial action.
Air Peace said the blockade had severely restricted access to the affected terminals, making it impossible for scheduled flights to depart from Lagos and Abuja.
The development has affected passengers travelling to various destinations across the airline’s domestic and regional network, leaving some travellers unable to access the airport terminals for their scheduled flights.
The airline described the situation as a temporary disruption arising from circumstances beyond its control, while expressing regret over the inconvenience suffered by passengers.
“Air Peace sincerely apologises to all affected and stranded passengers for the disruption and inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control,” the management said.
The carrier said it was making efforts to keep passengers informed as the industrial action continued.
According to the airline, passengers scheduled to travel later in the day were being contacted and provided with updates regarding the status of their flights.
“Passengers scheduled to travel later today are being contacted and provided with relevant updates as the situation evolves,” it said.
Air Peace urged passengers to remain patient and understanding while the situation was being monitored.
The airline said its management was closely following developments at the affected airports and would issue additional information as necessary.
The disruption is the latest impact of the industrial action involving labour and aviation-sector unions, with the picketing of airport facilities creating access challenges for airlines, passengers and other airport users.
The blockade of terminal entrances has particularly affected the ability of airlines to process departing passengers and operate scheduled flights from the affected airports.
For Air Peace, Lagos and Abuja are important operational points, serving as gateways for passengers travelling to destinations across its network.
The restriction of access to its terminals has therefore had a knock-on effect on passengers whose journeys originate from either airport.
The airline did not provide details of the number of flights or passengers affected by the disruption in its statement.
It also did not announce a specific timeline for the restoration of normal flight operations, saying that it would continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the situation changed.
“Air Peace continues to closely monitor developments and will provide further updates as necessary,” the airline said.
The carrier advised affected passengers to pay attention to communications from the airline regarding their scheduled journeys as the industrial action continues.
It reiterated its appreciation for passengers’ patience and understanding while it navigates the operational challenges created by the airport picketing.
The development highlights the vulnerability of scheduled air services to industrial disputes and disruptions at key airport facilities, particularly where access to departure terminals is restricted.
Air Peace maintained that the disruption was outside its control and assured passengers that updates would be communicated as the situation evolved.
