The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned aviation unions against any additional disruption of airline operations, saying another occurrence will force all domestic airlines to stop down operations nationwide.
The warning was contained in a communiqué issued by the AON at the terminate of its complete meeting where the relationship condemned the violent disruption of airline operations by unions on August 11, 2026.
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The AON said the incident, which affected operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals 1 and 2 in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Universal Airport, Abuja, grounded airline activities and exposed vulnerabilities in the security architecture of Nigeria’s airports.
According to the association, union members blocked availability to Air Peace’s departure terminals, review-in counters, offices and workstations, thereby preventing airline workers from performing their duties and passengers from accessing scheduled services.
It alleged that some union members moreover engaged in acts of violence against airline workers, resulting in bodily injuries.
The AON described the advance as a violation of the rights of airlines and aviation workers and a serious danger to safety and security within the airport environment.
It stated that the disruption amounted to unlawful interference alongside civil aviation operations, together with latent implications for Nigeria’s aviation sector locally and internationally.
The category said the August 11 disruption caused decisive financial losses to airlines and affected passengers across the country given that Lagos and Abuja assist as large domestic hubs connecting flights to other destinations.
According to the AON, Air Peace alone had further than 70 flights affected, together with estimated losses exceeding N2 billion, during the time that further than 30 United Nigeria Airlines flights were affected, impacting regarding 13,000 passengers.
It added that airlines incurred added costs from rebooking passengers, providing accommodation, processing refunds, repositioning crew, rescheduling aircraft and other recovery measures.
The relationship additionally expressed problem over the practical effect of such disruptions on investor confidence, saying the incident could discourage lessors and other investors from committing finance to Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The AON warned that the disruption moreover exposed weaknesses in airport security arrangements, notably the ability of unauthorised groups to block passengers and airline workers from accessing operating areas.
It accordingly called for an immediate evaluation and overhaul of security procedures and reply plans by Aviation Security (AVSEC) authorities at airports across the country.
The relationship continued maintained that airlines should not be held solely responsible for delays and cancellations, noting that numerous functioning challenges are beyond their management.
It listed adverse weather, inadequate aircraft parking spaces at Lagos and Abuja airports, sunset restrictions at additional airports, VIP movements and linked airspace closures, bird strikes, foreign object debris, rising aviation fuel costs, inefficient air traffic stream and inadequate airport infrastructure within the large causes of delays and cancellations.
The AON said Jet A1 now costs above N2,500 per litre and that irregular fuel availability at some subordinate airports additional complicates airline operations.
It furthermore cited inadequate review-in facilities, screening and exit points, unserviceable baggage carousels and unreliable ground assist equipment as contributors to delays.
On the operating reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed Cross-border Airport, Lagos, the relate commended the Federal Government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for upgrading the facility.
Nevertheless, it urged the authorities to participate airlines, as key airport stakeholders, at the design and implementation stages to secure that the reconstructed facilities recommend economical passenger and aircraft flows and steer clear of concept flaws.
The AON said it maintained an “absolute zero-tolerance policy” towards any make of unlawful interference including airline operations and remained committed to the safety of passengers, employees and equipment.
The relationship so issued its strongest warning yet to aviation unions, declaring that should the events of August 11, 2026, repeat themselves against any domestic airline, all AON person airlines will immediately close down operations.
The association too said its members had expressed confidence in its command and reaffirmed their commitment to operating in the ethics, rules, regulations and authority code of conduct contained in the AON constitution.
The AON said it remained united in opposing any activity that threatens flight safety, disrupts airline operations or endangers passengers.
Source: Airline Operators Warn Unions, Say Another Disruption Will Ground All Domestic Flights
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