Aviation Strike: FAAN assures passengers as Air Peace flights suffer disruption

By Adebola Muili

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured air travellers that airport activities remain under control despite the industrial action embarked upon by aviation unions, even as Air Peace reported disruptions to its scheduled operations in Lagos and Abuja.

FAAN gave the assurance in a statement issued by its management on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, following the labour action which has restricted access to some airport terminals and affected flight schedules.

The Authority said it was liaising with relevant aviation bodies, airlines, security agencies and other stakeholders to contain the effects of the industrial action and sustain normal activities at the nation’s airports.

It added that some earlier difficulties encountered in the movement of flights within the airside area had been resolved through coordination among the agencies involved.

FAAN said it acknowledged the concerns raised by organised labour and expressed support for the efforts of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alongside other stakeholders, to bring the dispute to an amicable end.

The Authority also advised passengers to remain patient and obtain updates directly from their airlines concerning their respective flights.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has urged the aviation unions to call off the industrial action and give room for further engagement with the government.

The NCAA, in a statement signed by its Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, said Keyamo had been actively involved in efforts to resolve the issues and appealed to the unions to exercise restraint pending his return.

Najomo explained that a meeting scheduled by the minister the previous week to address the dispute could not take place because the airline operators did not attend.

He assured members of the travelling public that the labour dispute had not affected flight safety, noting that the NCAA remained fully engaged in its regulatory and safety oversight duties.

Najomo said the parties should return to the negotiating table, expressing optimism that the issues would be resolved soon and regular flight operations restored.

On its part, Air Peace disclosed that its operations had been affected after members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) blocked access to some of its airport facilities.

The airline said its departure points at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, including the Alpha and Zulu terminals, as well as Terminal 2 in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport terminal in Abuja, were affected.

Air Peace explained that the restricted access prevented some scheduled flights from taking off from Lagos and Abuja, leaving several passengers affected by the disruption.

The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers and said those booked on later flights on Tuesday were being contacted with updates on the situation.

It added that it was closely monitoring developments and would keep affected passengers informed as more information became available.

FAAN, meanwhile, expressed confidence that the ongoing consultations involving the aviation minister and other stakeholders would produce a resolution and pave the way for the full restoration of normal operations.