Flight activities in Lagos have recommenced as Aviation Unions lift the barriers that had been set up at airport terminals due to the indefinite strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). The strike, originally intended to press for a new minimum wage agreement with the Federal Government, was put on a week-long pause to facilitate continued negotiations.
Francis Akinjole, the General Secretary of the Air Traffic Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), stated the suspension of the strike has allowed blocked access to domestic airport terminals I and II, which include the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) and Murtala Muhammed Airport II (MMA2), to be lifted.
Operations have resumed briskly at the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, as confirmed by Alale Adedayo, President General of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP). Passengers were observed checking in for flights with airlines like Value Jet, Ibom Air, Arik Air, and United Nigeria Airline at the MMA2, operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd.
READ MORE: Ogun Govt. Partners NNPC To Commence Exploration Of Oil, Gas
Despite the resumption, there were some interruptions such as flight re-scheduling at Air Peace, causing frustration among passengers like Monalisa Phillip who reported that no explanation was given for the change.
The restart of aviation operations follows the suspension of the national strike, which had commenced on Monday due to a deadlock in the new minimum wage negotiations. The temporary halt in the industrial action is seen as a period for Labour unions and the Federal Government to find agreeable terms on the wage issue.
