Operations of Air Peace were disrupted at airports in Lagos and Abuja on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, following a picketing exercise by aviation unions over alleged anti-union practices and the non-remittance of statutory ticket sales charges.
The action was led by 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), with support from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The picketing affected access to Air Peace operations at the airports, leaving some passengers stranded as union members intensified pressure on the airline to address their demands.
Unions accuse airline of restricting workers’ rights
The aviation unions alleged that some domestic airlines had continued to prevent employees from freely joining trade unions.
According to the unions, workers should be able to choose and belong to organisations representing their interests without fear of intimidation, discrimination or victimisation.
They claimed that some employees were reluctant to openly indicate their interest in union membership because of concerns over possible reprisals.
The unions are demanding that affected airlines issue formal directives confirming workers’ freedom to join unions of their choice.
Dispute over 5% ticket sales charge
Another major issue behind the industrial action is an alleged failure by airlines to remit the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC).
The unions claimed that airlines collect the charge but have failed to remit the funds to the relevant aviation agencies.
They argued that the alleged non-remittance has affected the ability of aviation agencies to implement negotiated conditions of service and fulfil their obligations to workers.
The unions have therefore demanded the immediate release of the outstanding funds.
Three-day strike notice issued
The latest action followed a warning issued by the unions on August 4, 2026, when they announced plans to picket airlines they accused of violating workers’ rights and other statutory obligations.
The unions said they subsequently gave the affected airlines additional time to resolve the disputes but were forced to proceed with the picketing after what they described as a failure to address their concerns.
They warned that the action could escalate if the outstanding issues remain unresolved.
Air Peace yet to respond
Air Peace had not issued a public response to the allegations at the time of the picketing.
The dispute has, however, raised concerns about the potential impact of prolonged industrial action on passengers and the wider Nigerian aviation sector.
The unions maintained that their demands were aimed at protecting workers’ rights, strengthening collective bargaining and ensuring that aviation agencies receive funds required to support their operations.
They also warned that continued failure to resolve labour disputes could undermine industrial harmony and create further disruptions across the aviation industry.
