The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and aviation sector unions have disagreed over the picketing of Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, in a dispute involving the non-remittance of the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and the unionisation of workers.
AON spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, said Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines were initially targeted during the picketing carried out by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
The action, which was backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), took place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
However, ATSSSAN National President, John Ogbe, disagreed with the position, saying the union’s push for workers to join unions was motivated by the need to promote cooperation and stability within the aviation industry rather than cause disruption.
Okonkwo and Ogbe made their positions known at the 30th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos.
The conference was held under the theme: ‘Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth.’
Okonkwo, who is also the Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, said the unions’ actions at the airport could have had serious consequences for the aviation industry if not for the strong reactions from industry 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.”
ATSSSAN Defends Unionisation Efforts
Meanwhile, Ogbe maintained that workers have the right to choose whether to belong to a union, citing provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Trade Union Act and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.
The union leader stressed that the ongoing effort was focused on building cooperation between workers and airlines rather than creating 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.”
The disagreement highlights the continuing debate within Nigeria’s aviation industry over workers’ union rights, airline operations and the need to maintain stability while addressing labour and revenue-related concerns.
