Aviation Unions Reject FG’s Enugu Airport Concession Plan

Nigeria’s aviation sector may be heading for fresh turbulence this time, not in the skies, but on the ground.

Three major aviation unions have formally rejected the Federal Government’s decision to concession the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, raising fears of possible industrial action that could disrupt flight operations nationwide.

Tension is mounting among aviation workers and the Federal Government over the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

The three leading aviation unions —Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, The National Union of Air Transport Employees, and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals say they were sidelined in the process and have officially written to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, rejecting the deal.

The protesting Aviation workers displayed different placards with various inscriptions chanting solidarity songs as they rallied through the airport to create awareness.
One of the Union Leaders, Ben Nnabue stated the reason for the rally is that the government did not carry them along. According to him, the concession lacked the transparency required in such an agreement.

For the president of the Association of Transport Services Senior Staff Association, John Ogbe the essence of the rally is to sensitise the people about labour union issues that were not included in the agreement.

Ogbe threatened that the unions will ground all aviation activities in the country if the government fails to sign an agreement with the workers union in 21 days.

An Aviation worker, Joseph Ali, fears that if the concession happens without the intervention of the Aviation Unions, many Aviation workers may be out of job.

For now, the unions say they are awaiting an official response from the Ministry — but have warned that operational disruptions could follow if their concerns are ignored.