Flight operations have resumed at the Murtala Muhammad Airport domestic terminals after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) suspended its strike. The strike had grounded flight operations nationwide, with aviation unions joining the industrial action.
As of 11:00 am, many passengers were still waiting at the entrance of the domestic terminal, MMA2, anticipating the official end of the strike. By midday, airlines had begun to restart operations, with ValueJet flights to Abuja and Port Harcourt already boarding.
Despite the suspension of the strike, the airport environment remained relatively quiet as operators gradually resumed their activities. The General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Ocheme Aba, confirmed that all union members had returned to work.
“Due to the agreement with the presidency, the strike will be relaxed for one week starting from now to enable the tripartite committee to conclude deliberations on the minimum wage negotiation. Flight operations will resume now, and have resumed actually because all the blockages have been removed,” Aba stated.
The suspension of the strike is temporary, intended to allow for further negotiations on the minimum wage. The quick resumption of flights is a relief for passengers and airlines alike, following a day of significant disruption.