Turkish Airlines: Nigerian aviation authorities address picketing incident at Lagos Airport
Following the picketing of Turkish Airlines’ operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have taken significant steps to resolve the situation.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) began picketing Turkish Airlines in Lagos on Tuesday, demanding the reinstatement of employees who were dismissed, forced to leave their jobs, or coerced into resigning under duress in 2020, including those targeted for their union membership.
The incident disrupted the airline’s flight schedule, as over 300 passengers missed their flight and became stranded at the airport.
In a joint press statement signed by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, alongside Mrs. Obiageli Orah, his counterpart at FAAN, the two agencies said the picketing, which disrupted operations and caused inconvenience to passengers, prompted their immediate action.
According to the statement, meetings have been held with Turkish Airlines and union representatives to address the concerns raised and to seek a peaceful resolution.
“The NCAA and FAAN are fully engaged with all stakeholders to bring an amicable end to this impasse. We are on top of the situation and wish to assure all airlines operating in Nigeria, including Turkish Airlines, and the general public of our commitment to ensuring safe and secure flights,” the statement partly quoted.
It disclosed further that, in response to the disruptions, FAAN has increased security measures at the airport to prevent further disturbances.
Both agencies emphasised that while Nigeria does not condone disruptive behavior at its airports, the issues leading to the incident are resolvable within the framework of the law.
The authorities have expressed empathy towards the passengers affected by the incident, particularly children and the elderly, who faced significant inconvenience.
The agencies assured that efforts are underway to ensure that passengers can travel without further delays.
To prevent future occurrences, the agencies issued a strong advisory against any actions that could disrupt airport operations, citing serious safety and economic implications for the aviation industry.
“We strongly advise persons and groups to desist from disrupting airport operations,” the authorities stressed.
Moving forward, the NCAA and FAAN pledged to continue engaging with Turkish Airlines and the unions, aiming for a permanent and amicable resolution to the issues at hand.
