Flights Grounded as NLC Strike Continues

Domestic flights across Nigeria have been halted as the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) continues to impact air travel.

At the Lagos airport’s local terminal, both entry and exit gates are locked, leaving passengers, some of whom arrived as early as 6 a.m., stranded outside.

Similarly, at the privately managed Terminal Two, union members blocked the gates, preventing entry while singing solidarity songs and playing loud music from speakers. Canopies were set up at the gate as part of the blockade.

Security personnel are on-site to maintain order, while aviation workers and some passengers, forced to return home, remain in the area.

The headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the annexes of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) are also locked.

Union leaders have directed their members to continue working on international flights already en route to Nigeria until 00:00 hours on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

In a statement, the unions said, “Being not oblivious of the fact that many international flights to Nigeria are already airborne, the strike action will commence at international terminals on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.”

Following directives from the NLC, union leaders are actively enforcing the withdrawal of aviation services.

Airline operators have been notifying passengers via email and social media about the suspension of flight operations due to the strike. Passengers are advised to stay updated through these platforms for information on when operations might resume.

Vehicular traffic around Lagos airport remains light.

Reporting by Nosa Aituamen; Editing by Muzha.