NLC Disrupts Air Peace Operations in Lagos, Passengers Stranded

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), alongside aviation unions, on Tuesday disrupted flight operations at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport, leaving several Air Peace passengers stranded and forcing the cancellation or delay of scheduled flights.

The action reportedly began in the early hours of Tuesday, August 11, 2026, when labour unions moved to picket Air Peace operations at the Lagos and Abuja airports.

According to reports, the unions shut down access to Air Peace’s operations at the Zulu Terminal in Lagos from about 5 a.m. A flight scheduled to depart at 6:30 a.m. was reportedly unable to take off, leaving passengers uncertain about when their journeys would resume.

The industrial action was led by the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC), with aviation unions including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) taking part.

The unions accused Air Peace and other domestic airlines of preventing workers from freely joining trade unions.

They also raised concerns over the alleged non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) collected from passengers and meant to support the operations of aviation agencies.

The unions said they had previously given affected airlines notice to address their grievances. They subsequently issued a three-day notice of strike after what they described as the failure of the airlines to resolve the issues.

The labour bodies argued that workers were allegedly afraid to express interest in union membership because of possible discrimination.

They also linked the dispute over the TSC to collective bargaining arrangements involving aviation workers.

The immediate impact of the action has been felt by passengers, many of whom arrived at the airport expecting to travel but found Air Peace operations disrupted.

The situation has created uncertainty for travellers who have connecting journeys, business appointments and other time-sensitive engagements.

The latest disruption is not the first time labour action involving aviation unions has affected Air Peace passengers. In previous disputes, union picketing at Lagos airport resulted in cancelled and rescheduled flights and significant passenger backlogs.

As of the latest reports, Air Peace had not issued a public statement responding to Tuesday’s picketing or the allegations made by the unions.

The development also comes amid a broader dispute between aviation unions and domestic airline operators over workers’ unionisation rights and the remittance of statutory aviation charges.

For affected passengers, the immediate concern remains whether their flights will operate later in the day, be rescheduled or cancelled altogether.