…as protesting workers block access to terminals
Following the commencement of a nationwide strike by the Labour Unions on Monday, thousands of passengers have been stranded at airports across the country.
Aviation unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), affiliated to either NLC or TUC have joined the strike.
Earlier on Sunday, the unions had directed their members to withdraw services at airports across the country with effect from midnight of Monday.
On Monday, as early as 6:00 am, officials and members of the unions blocked all entries to the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, preventing passengers from accessing the airport for their flights.
The situation has led to delay and cancellation of flights by airlines across the country.
As of the time of filing this report, no flight has taken off at either the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the local airport or the MMA2 private terminal.
All access points to the airports have remained blocked by the striking workers.
It was learnt that the only flight that boarded was not given clearance to take off.
Some passengers said they arrived at the airport on time for a 6:30 a.m flight but still at the airport.
Also at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, passengers were blocked from accessing the terminals.
The terminal halls have completely been empty and without the usual hustle and bustle of passengers traveling.
