…We Want collaboration, not Confrontation -ATSSSAN
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has alleged that Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines were the targets of the aviation unions’ picketing at the Lagos and Abuja airports on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Spokesperson of AON and Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, made the allegation at the 30th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos on Thursday.
The conference had the theme, “Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth.”
Okonkwo said the unions’ action could have pushed the aviation industry to its lowest point if not for the strong condemnation by stakeholders.
“For those gathered here, let me be clear: 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,” he said.
He added that airlines remained among the best-paying sectors in Nigeria, describing the action at the airports as shameful.
“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 (Rtd), 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,” Okonkwo said.
Responding to the allegation, National President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), John Ogbe, said the union’s drive to organise workers in the sector was based on partnership and industry stability, rather than disruption.
Ogbe said union membership was a matter of choice protected by the Nigerian Constitution, the Trade Union Act and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.
“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,” he said.
Last month, more than 70 flights were disrupted following the picketing of Air Peace by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and ATSSSAN at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The unions accused AON of failing to remit the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and alleged that many of its members had prevented airline staff from joining unions.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
