Union shut Lagos airport over sacking of members, passengers stranded

Scores of passengers at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos Terminal Two (MMA2) were stranded early Tuesday as one of the aviation unions protesting the sacking of 37 workers by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited blocked the entrances leading to the terminal.

Members of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria were said to have taken position at the strategic entrances leading to the terminal as early as 6am.

The move was said to have prevented airlines from operating their early morning flights

Subsequently, passengers who had arrived at the airport to make the morning flights to their destinations were left stranded.

The union had alleged that its members working with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited were sacked without due process.

It was gathered that efforts to resolve the issues at several meetings in the past proved abortive as BASL refused to back down.

Some affected domestic airline operators have sent out notices of impending flight obstruction to passengers.

A statement by the management of Ibom Airlines Limited, read, “This is to bring to the attention of our esteemed passengers and the public, that our operating terminal out of Lagos, the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, operated by Bicourtney Aviation Services Limited has been completely closed off to workers and passengers alike by the labour union, very early this morning.

“Efforts are currently being made to resolve the situation. However, please note that this action will greatly impact our flights scheduled in and out of Lagos today.

“We greatly regret the impact of this unexpected action on your day’s plans as we urge you to kindly stay close to all our communication channels for subsequent updates.”

Sources: Tribune, Vanguard