NCAA, FAAN address Turkish airlines disruption at Lagos Airport
…assure of speedy resolution…
By Innocent Raphael
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have said they are working to resolve the disruption of Turkish Airlines’ operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The disruption, caused by a picketing action by some members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday, has prompted swift engagement from aviation authorities.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the NCAA and FAAN revealed they have convened meetings with Turkish Airlines and union representatives to address the situation.
While discussions are said to be ongoing, both agencies assured their committment to ensuring the safety and security of flights in Nigeria, adding that security measures have been implemented at the airport to prevent further disruptions.
The NCAA also emphasized that while Nigeria does not condone disruptive actions at its airports, the issues at hand are solvable within the framework of the law.
The aviation authorities further urged all parties to refrain from actions that could compromise airport operations, highlighting the significant safety and economic consequences.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had accused the Turkish Airlines for wrongful dismissal of workers, who are members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), without providing benefits and under “bogus charges.”
The resulting protest would culminate in the disruption of flight operations on Tuesday, leaving 300 passengers stranded.
Accordingly, NCAA and FAAN expressed empathy for affected passengers, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, who have experienced considerable inconvenience.
Disclosing that efforts are underway to facilitate the resumption of smooth travel operations as quickly as possible, the aviation authorities reiterated their resolve to continuing in dialogue with Turkish Airlines and the unions to achieve a lasting resolution to the issues.
