Following the nationwide strike by the Organized Labour, domestic flights were disrupted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja.
The unions strike action on Monday, is in response to the federal government’s refusal to raise the recommended minimum wage from N60,000.
Passengers who were on the ground to board their flights at the Abuja Airport on Monday, were shut out of the terminal buildings.
Several flights were cancelled, no flight was allowed to take off nor land at the airport at the time of filing this report.
An airline, United Nigeria while announcing the disruption of flight said it was due to the strike.
The statement by its management on Monday reads: “We regret to inform you that due to the strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliates, airports across the country have been shut down.
“As a result, none of our scheduled flights has been permitted to depart the airport, significantly affecting our services and operations.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences this may cause to your travel plans. Please rest assured that we are actively monitoring the situation to evaluate its impact on our operations and will provide updates accordingly.”
An Executive of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) who didn’t want to be named confirmed the flight disruption to our reporter.
He said: “No flight has left Abuja and none has landed. All passengers are outside the terminal building. Some passengers have started returning home because some airlines have announced cancellation.”
“NUATE works with instruction and if the mother body asks us to open the airport for flight operations, we will open but without instruction from NLC, the strike is indefinite.
“It has not been easy to manage the anger from passengers. We feel their pain but as it is now, if nothing is done, nothing will be done.
“We are all Nigerians and we know the prices of things now and we know how difficult it has been. So, if those of us who are privileged to work are complaining, how much more are those who are not working.”
He however said international flights were given grace to operate today.
“International flights were given an exemption for today. According to the communique released, they said some flights were already airborne yesterday, so Aviation gave them grace for today but from 00:00 hour midnight Tuesday, International flights will join the strike and it will be more serious.”
The Management of Air Peace in a statement on Monday confirmed the operation of regional and international flights.
The statement reads: “We hereby notify the flying public that due to the ongoing strike action by the Nigerian Labour Union (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), there will be disruptions or possible cancellations of flights across our network today.
“Currently, only our regional and international flights are confirmed to operate today.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and hope for a swift resolution. We regret any inconvenience this may cause to your travel plans and appreciate your understanding and patience.”