As the strike at the Murtala Muhammed
Airport 2 (MMA2), Lagos, enters the second day, airline operators have
been forced to make alternative arrangements to fly their passengers.
Airport 2 (MMA2), Lagos, enters the second day, airline operators have
been forced to make alternative arrangements to fly their passengers.
Aviation unions continued their picketing of the terminal on Thursday.
The airlines have moved their passenger
boarding and processing to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) operated
by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
boarding and processing to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) operated
by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The striking unions are the National
Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services
Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(ATSSSAN) and the National
Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services
Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(ATSSSAN) and the National
Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
They are protesting over the alleged sack
of 24 employees who indicated interest to unionise by Bi-Courtney
Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the MMA2.
of 24 employees who indicated interest to unionise by Bi-Courtney
Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the MMA2.
Despite a subsisting court order issued
by Justice I. N Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos restraining them
from the action, the unions continued to shutdown flights and business
activities at the MMA2.
by Justice I. N Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos restraining them
from the action, the unions continued to shutdown flights and business
activities at the MMA2.
Airlines affected by the action included
Arik Air, Medview Airline, Azman Air, Max Air, Dana Air and Aero
Contractors who operate flights from the terminal.
Arik Air, Medview Airline, Azman Air, Max Air, Dana Air and Aero
Contractors who operate flights from the terminal.
However, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, Corporate
Communications Manager, Dana Air, said on Thursday that the arrangement
to move the airline’s passengers to GAT was reached on Wednesday after
they were prevented from entering MMA2.
Communications Manager, Dana Air, said on Thursday that the arrangement
to move the airline’s passengers to GAT was reached on Wednesday after
they were prevented from entering MMA2.
”We have made an alternative arrangement
since yesterday and at the moment, the strike is still ongoing but we
are hoping that everything will be resolved as soon as possible.
since yesterday and at the moment, the strike is still ongoing but we
are hoping that everything will be resolved as soon as possible.
“First, we are apologising to our guests for any inconveniences caused by this development.
” It is so unfortunate that those who
actually have no business with what is happening are the ones suffering
in the battle between these two organisations.
actually have no business with what is happening are the ones suffering
in the battle between these two organisations.
“So, we are appealing that they resolve
it as soon as possible because passengers come first. Without the
passengers there is no airline. There is no industry and we need to
start considering them before taking any decision. ”
it as soon as possible because passengers come first. Without the
passengers there is no airline. There is no industry and we need to
start considering them before taking any decision. ”
He said the airlines operating in the
MMA2 had incurred losses amounting to millions of naira since the strike
began, adding that they still had to pay FAAN to process their
passengers at the GAT.
MMA2 had incurred losses amounting to millions of naira since the strike
began, adding that they still had to pay FAAN to process their
passengers at the GAT.
Also, Mr Adebanji Ola, spokesman for Arik
Air, said the airline, which operates its Port Harcourt flights out of
MMA2 had temporary move it back to its hub at the GAT due to the strike.
Air, said the airline, which operates its Port Harcourt flights out of
MMA2 had temporary move it back to its hub at the GAT due to the strike.
“We informed our Port Harcourt passengers
since yesterday to go to our counter at GAT for boarding, pending when
the strike will be called off, ” he said.
since yesterday to go to our counter at GAT for boarding, pending when
the strike will be called off, ” he said.
Mr Frances Akinjole, General Secretary,
ATSSSAN, said that the unions would continue to picket the terminal
until the sacked workers were reinstated and the BASL management
recognises the unions in the sector.
ATSSSAN, said that the unions would continue to picket the terminal
until the sacked workers were reinstated and the BASL management
recognises the unions in the sector.
Akinjole also confirmed that the Nigerian
Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and security agencies including the
Assistant Inspector General, Lagos Airport Police Command, Mr Aminchi
Baraya, had tried to intervene on the issue.
Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and security agencies including the
Assistant Inspector General, Lagos Airport Police Command, Mr Aminchi
Baraya, had tried to intervene on the issue.
“We will continue to barricade MMA2 until
the management accede to our demands because what we are doing here is
lawful, ” he said.
the management accede to our demands because what we are doing here is
lawful, ” he said.
The spokesperson for BASL, Mr Steve
Omolale, however flayed the unions for the continued disruption of
business activities and flights at the terminal despite being aware of
the interim court order.
Omolale, however flayed the unions for the continued disruption of
business activities and flights at the terminal despite being aware of
the interim court order.
Omolale said BASL would not join issues
with the unions since the matter was already before a competent court of
jurisdiction in suit number FHC/L/CS/16412/18.
with the unions since the matter was already before a competent court of
jurisdiction in suit number FHC/L/CS/16412/18.
