Posted by Chinenye on Tue 29th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
Airlines in Nigeria are warning that they could stop all domestic flights across the country if unions block or disrupt another airline again.
(Airline Operators of Nigeria. Photo Credit: Punch News)
Domestic airlines under the Airline Operators of Nigeria have warned they will shut down operations across the country if unions block any member airline again.
The warning follows the picketing of Air Peace flights in Lagos and Abuja on August 11, 2026.
The threat was in a communiqué issued after the AON general meeting in Abuja and shared with journalists on Monday.
The airlines condemned what they called violent disruptive action by aviation unions and other groups.
They said the protest brought operations at Terminals 1 and 2 of the Lagos airport and the Abuja airport to a halt after union members blocked departure areas, check-in counters and offices.
The unions and airlines have been fighting over the airlines refusal to pay statutory funds to government agencies, which the unions say could threaten safety.
The unions also accuse the airlines of stopping workers from joining unions.
AON said the protest went beyond a normal labour dispute because it hurt passengers, airline staff and airport security.
It claimed some airline workers were injured.
Flights were cancelled or delayed, passengers were stranded, and airlines had to rebook travellers, pay for hotels and give refunds.
Air Peace lost more than 70 flights and over N2bn, while more than 30 United Nigeria Airlines flights were hit, affecting about 13,000 passengers.
Airlines also spent more to move crew and reschedule planes at a time of high fuel prices and dollar linked maintenance costs.
The group said any repeat will lead to an immediate shutdown by all member airlines.
It also called the incident a serious security worry, saying the ease of blocking terminals shows weak airport security.
On delays and cancellations, the airlines listed bad weather, crowded parking areas at Lagos and Abuja, short operating hours at some smaller airports, VIP movements, bird strikes, fuel shortages, poor air traffic flow and weak infrastructure.
They said Jet A1 fuel now costs above N2,500 per litre and supply is shaky at some smaller airports.
They welcomed the rebuilding of the Lagos airport but asked to be involved early in the design.
Aviation expert Samuel Caulcrick backed the airlines and criticised the role of unions in the sector.
He pointed to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, which got a Federal High Court order stopping unions from disrupting Terminal Two in Lagos, yet he said the unions still blocked entrances and shut the terminal.
He said workers rights matter but industrial action should not be allowed to wreck businesses.