AON, unions disagree over Air Peace picketing

By Dickson Omobola

Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, and unions in the air transport sector have disagreed over the picketing of Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, some weeks ago over the non-remittance of the Ticket Sales Charge, TSC, and the refusal to allow its workers to unionise.

Spokesperson for the AON, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, disclosed that Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines were initially targeted in the picketing carried out by the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Meanwhile, National President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, John Ogbe, sharply disagreed, saying the push to unionise workers in the sector was driven by a commitment to partnership and industry stability, not disruption.

Okonkwo and Ogbe spoke at the 30th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, LAAC, themed: ‘Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth,’ held in Lagos.

Okonkwo, who is the Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, said the union’s actions at the airport would have brought the aviation sector to its lowest point if not for the condemnation by stakeholders.

He said: “The plan was to bring down Air Peace and United Nigeria. It was only at midnight that some inspiration came, and they realised that targeting both airlines might seem like a tribal war, that is why they backed down on United Nigeria, planning to target it the next day.

“Airlines are among Nigeria’s best-paying sectors. That shameful display at the airport would have brought us to our lowest point if not for the reactions and condemnation from so many gathered here.

“I especially commend the Aviation Roundtable and my brother, Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju (retd), whose loud voice was heard worldwide. Others spoke as well, reporting in various styles, but we expected condemnation from quarters that should have known better but that did not come. I remain concerned about this.”

Meanwhile, Ogbe said union membership remained a matter of choice, as provided for in the Nigerian Constitution, the Trade Union Act and International Labour Organisation, ILO, Convention.

The union leader said their ongoing effort was aimed at fostering cooperation rather than conflict.

He said: “Our effort is not to cause disruption but to collaborate as unions are social partners to airlines. The unions support any initiative that will create a financially robust industry, peaceful and safe aviation.”

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