LAGOS, NIGERIA — Flight operations for Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, have been grounded across major airports nationwide—including Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja—following a picketing action launched by aviation industry unions.
The industrial action was coordinated by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), with backing from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The union blockades placed check-in counters and terminal access gates under lock and key, leaving thousands of domestic and regional passengers stranded.
Key Operational Highlights
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Core Grievances: The unions cited two primary issues driving the action:
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Non-Remittance of Statutory Levies: Alleged failure by the airline to remit the mandatory 5% Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
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Anti-Unionization Restrictions: Allegations that Air Peace management actively blocks its personnel from joining aviation trade unions.
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Preceding Notice: The joint unions issued a formal three-day notice of picketing on August 4, 2026, warning of impending shutdowns if their demands were not addressed.
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Regulatory Response: The NCAA acknowledged the disruptions, appealing to union leaders to suspend the strike action while mediator talks are convened.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ AIR PEACE NATIONWIDE GROUNDING MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Affected Carrier : Air Peace Limited │
│ • Primary Hubs Closed : • MMIA Domestic Terminal (Lagos) │
│ • Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja) │
│ │
│ • Key Organizing : • NUATE │
│ Unions : • ATSSSAN │
│ • NAAPE │
│ • Supported by NLC & TUC │
│ │
│ • Primary Disputes : 1. Failure to remit 5% Ticket Sales Charge (TSC)│
│ 2. Resistance to worker unionization rights │
│ │
│ • Current Status : Operations halted; regulatory mediation pending│
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘“We Have No Other Choice”
“It has never been in our character to stop operations. But when our lives and existence are involved, we have no other choice… What you are seeing here today, it is not only Air Peace that is culpable. But there is a reason we have started with Air Peace; it is the most stubborn. Air Peace is the template that other recalcitrant airlines are using.” — Frances Akinjole, General Secretary, ATSSSAN
“Yes, it is a union thing. When I get to the airport, I will be able to get more factual details of the situation.” — Michael Achimugu, NCAA Spokesperson
