Airports Won't Be Shut By Sunday?

Murtala Mohammed International Airport

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has dismissed reports that two trade unions in the aviation sector were threatening to shut down airports across the country by Sunday’s midnight and embark on a nationwide strike.

Sam Adurogboye, the NCAA’s acting general manager, dismissed the threats in a text message sent to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, October 24, in Lagos.
Two unions (the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers) had earlier issued the travel ban warning in a letter dated October 21.
The secretary generals of these unions, Olayinka Abioye and Aba Ocheme respectively, sent a letter to their members, directing them to embark on an indefinite strike from Sunday midnight.
However, Adurogboye assured Nigerians that the threats to close the airports were false as the unions had suspended the planned strike.

“We learnt that the unions had circulated an e-mail alleging a travel ban to Nigeria with effect from tomorrow’s midnight.
“I hereby declare to the whole world that it is not true. Nigerian airspace is open to flight operations at all times.
“NCAA cannot be closing airspace it is meant to guard. Our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of air travellers. That e-mail should be disregarded. We are investigating the source,’’ the message read.

Premium Times reports that a peace meeting has been scheduled for Monday, October 26, to find resolution of the dispute with the workers.