Fakoyejo Olalekan
The ongoing protest by aviation workers, under the aegis of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), has forced airlines to divert flight operations and switch terminals.
Prime Business Africa had reported earlier on Tuesday that the aviation workers grounded flight operations in Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos Terminal Two (MMA2).
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe aviation union is demanding the reversal of sack letter issued to over 30 workers by Bi-Courtney Aviation, and requested that their terminal benefits be paid to them.
As a result, passengers are stranded in Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, with the protesting aviation workers preventing employees of domestic airlines from entering the terminal, a staff of Ibom Air, with knowledge of the situation informed Prime Business Africa anonymously.
This publication gathered that Ibom Air, Airk and other domestic airlines are now diverting passengers to Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal One, through which air travelers are transported into Terminal Two, where planes are parked.
“All flights where disrupted.” the source said, adding that, “None of our flights have gone since then. Even our staff too are stuck at the gate as a result of the protest by aviation workers. They didn’t allow anyone to come in. So there’s no one to check-in, to board, do anything.”
The source revealed to PBA that, “For my airline now, we have tried to secure a place at GAT – GAT is the MM1 – so that they can start boarding from there.
“We are currently just boarding one flight. Other airlines are doing the same thing, Arik, Air Peace and co boarding their flights from GAT.
“You know the aircraft are probably parked at (MM) Two, they will board them from (MM) One, then use a vehicle to convey them down to Two.”
Meanwhile, Ibom Air and the United Nigeria Airlines had released a statement informing the public that efforts to resolve the situation with the aviation workers are ongoing, confirming what the source said about the firm’s Lagos flight being disrupted.
“This is to bring to the attention of our esteemed passengers and the public, that our operating terminal out of Lagos, the Murtala Mohamed Airport 2, operated by Bicourtney Aviation Services Limited has been completely closed off to workers and passengers alike by the Labour Union, very early this morning.
“Efforts are currently being made to resolve the situation; however, please note that this action will greatly impact our flights scheduled in and out of Lagos today,” the Management of Ibom Air said on Monday.
