BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned that domestic airlines may shut down operations nationwide if unions again disrupt airline activities at Nigerian airports.
The association issued the warning in a communiqué after its general meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on September 23, 2026, where it condemned the violent disruption of airline operations on August 11.
The AON said the incident, which occurred at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals 1 and 2 in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, seriously disrupted the operations of airlines, particularly Air Peace.
According to the association, union members blocked access to Air Peace’s departure terminals, entrances and check-in counters, preventing airline workers from reaching their offices and attending to passengers.
The association also alleged that some of its members assaulted airline workers, causing bodily injuries to some of them.
The AON described the action as unlawful interference with airline operations and a serious threat to safety and security at the nation’s airports.
It said the incident caused significant financial losses to airlines and disrupted thousands of passengers across the country.
The association disclosed that more than 70 Air Peace flights were affected, resulting in estimated losses of over N2 billion. It added that more than 30 flights operated by United Nigeria Airlines were also affected, impacting about 13,000 passengers scheduled to travel that day.
Beyond lost revenue, the AON said airlines incurred additional expenses on passenger rebooking, accommodation, refunds, crew repositioning, aircraft rescheduling and other recovery measures.
It noted that the impact extended beyond Lagos and Abuja because both airports serve as major hubs for domestic flight operations, meaning disruptions at the two locations affected flights across the wider national network.
The association said the incident also exposed weaknesses in the security arrangements at Nigerian airports, warning that the ability of groups to prevent airline workers and passengers from accessing terminals raised serious aviation security concerns.
It further expressed concern that such incidents could undermine investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation industry, particularly among aircraft lessors and other investors who had recently begun showing renewed interest in the market.
The AON also rejected the impression that airlines deliberately delay or cancel flights, saying such disruptions impose significant financial and reputational costs on operators.
It listed adverse weather, inadequate aircraft parking spaces at Lagos and Abuja airports, limited operating hours at some secondary airports, VIP movements, bird strikes, foreign object damage, high aviation fuel costs and inefficient air traffic flow among the major causes of delays.
The association also cited inadequate airport infrastructure, including poor check-in facilities, insufficient screening and exit points, faulty baggage carousels and unreliable ground-handling equipment.
On aviation fuel, the AON said Jet A1 currently costs more than N2,500 per litre, while supplies remain unreliable at some secondary airports, further complicating airline operations.
The association commended the Federal Government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
However, it urged the authorities to involve airlines more closely in the project from the early stages, arguing that their input would help address design and operational issues that could affect the airport when completed.
The AON called for an immediate review of security procedures and emergency response plans at all airports, particularly those of Aviation Security (AVSEC), following the August 11 incident.
It said its members remained committed to protecting passengers, workers and aircraft and maintaining safety standards despite the difficult operating environment.
The association, however, issued its strongest warning at the meeting, stating that if the August 11 incident is repeated against any domestic airline, all AON member airlines will immediately shut down operations.
The AON also said its members expressed confidence in the leadership of the association at the September 22 general meeting in Abuja and pledged continued support for its constitution, rules, regulations and professional code of conduct.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
