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Passengers stranded as nationwide strike grounds air travel

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The nationwide strike led by the Labour Union has left thousands of passengers stranded at airports across Nigeria.


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), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), have joined the strike.


These unions, affiliated with either the NLC or TUC, had instructed their members to cease services at airports from midnight on Monday.


As early as 6:00 AM on Monday, union members blocked all entry points to Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos, preventing passengers from accessing their flights. This blockade has led to widespread flight delays and cancellations across the country.


According to Daily Trust, no flights have departed from either the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the local airport or the MMA2 private terminal as of the time of this report. A source confirmed, “No flight has taken off. Hundreds of passengers are stranded because the unions blocked all access points to the airport.”


One passenger, who arrived at the airport in time for a 6:30 AM flight, reported still being stranded hours later. Similar scenes are unfolding at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where passengers have been blocked from accessing the terminals, leaving the halls empty.


The situation underscores the widespread impact of the strike, as aviation unions join forces with other labor groups to demand the renegotiation of the minimum wage and the reversal of the electricity tariff hike. As the strike continues, the disruption to air travel is expected to persist, significantly affecting passengers nationwide.