The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) chapter of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has advised travellers and stakeholders to make contingency arrangements to avoid missing their appointments.
Monday in Abuja, the authority’s management issued the advisory in a statement.
FAAN was speaking about the impending strike by aviation unions, which could impact scheduled flight operations.
The agency reported that the management of NAIA would operate the airport as usual, but warned that passengers may experience “operational disruptions due to the planned strike action.”
The aviation authority conveyed regret for any inconveniences passengers may experience.
FAAN stated, “The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport wishes to inform the general public of the aviation union’s planned two-day warning strike beginning on Monday, April 17, 2023.”
“Passengers and stakeholders are kindly advised to make alternative arrangements so as not to miss their flights and appointments. Any inconvenient circumstances are deeply regretted.”
Last Friday, aviation unions proclaimed their intention to initiate a warning strike in protest of intolerable working conditions and benefits.
National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) are the unions involved.
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees are two additional organisations.
The employees are demanding the ratification and implementation of the condition of service (CoS), as negotiated with the Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the office of the head of the federal civil service, and other agencies.
Other issues include the non-implementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) since 2019 and the planned demolition of all agency structures in Lagos for an airport city project by the minister of aviation.
The employees stated in a memo signed by the leadership of the five unions that if the two-day warning strike fails, an indefinite strike will ensue.