The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has initiated steps aimed at resolving ongoing industrial disagreements in Nigeria’s aviation sector following recent tensions between airline operators and aviation unions.
Keyamo held an emergency stakeholders’ meeting on Friday in Abuja to address issues affecting industrial harmony and improve cooperation among major players in the sector.
The meeting was disclosed in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Kambari.
Government Seeks Lasting Solution to Aviation Dispute
According to Keyamo, the discussions were designed to resolve critical challenges affecting the aviation industry while promoting stability, cooperation and sustainable growth.
The meeting followed earlier engagements between aviation unions and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) after unions suspended their industrial action on Tuesday.
Keyamo said stakeholders reached several resolutions after extensive discussions.
Airlines to Agree Payment Plans With Aviation Agencies
One of the resolutions requires the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and heads of aviation agencies to obtain payment schedules from airline operators over outstanding obligations.
The repayment arrangements are expected to consider airlines’ operating costs and current economic conditions.
Keyamo said Directors of Finance and Accounts in aviation agencies would meet individual airlines within one week to agree on realistic repayment plans.
Workers’ Union Rights Protected
The minister also addressed disagreements surrounding workers’ right to union membership.
He said employees should have the freedom to decide whether or not to belong to a union without interference from management.
Keyamo directed the NCAA to ensure that unions have direct access to airline workers solely for the purpose of distributing membership forms.
He warned that airlines preventing workers from making independent choices would face sanctions from the aviation regulator.
Review Meeting Planned
The stakeholders agreed to reconvene after one month to assess progress made in implementing the resolutions.
Keyamo said the decisions reached represented a collective agreement among all parties involved.
He assured stakeholders that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remained committed to maintaining a safe, efficient and sustainable aviation industry.
Background to Aviation Labour Dispute
The recent industrial tension in the aviation sector resulted in airport picketing and flight disruptions after disagreements between aviation unions and domestic airline operators.
The dispute involved issues including outstanding ticket charge payments, employee welfare concerns and workers’ unionisation rights.
Aviation authorities, including the NCAA and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), had earlier appealed for dialogue while assuring passengers that flight safety remained unaffected.
