Flights grounded, passengers groan as unions shut MMA2
*Bi-Courtney, unions disagree over court injunction
Amid court order restraining aviation unions from shutting down activities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), activities at the terminal were paralysed leading to loss of several millions of naira by the terminal manager and hundreds of concessionaires.
This came as hundreds of passengers left their homes early morning today with plans to catch early morning flights out of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2). They were oblivious of what awaited them as aviation unions barricaded the two big entrances to the imposing domestic terminal.
Members of the unions with their placards danced to the music of Late Fela Anikulapo to the admiration of passers-by.
To cut their loses, Aero Contractors made an alternative plans by using its small terminal at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), while others like Azman, Arik and Dana used the GAT terminal to process their passengers for airlift to their destinations.
Confusion reigned as many of them were not in the know that the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) had early as 5am chased out workers who did night shift and locked up entrances to the arrival hall of the terminal.
As early as 7am, the unions had taken over a part of the major road that leads to Ikeja from International wing of the airport and Oshodi.
The situation caused heavy traffic snarl on the ever busy road as many people who had early morning flights trekked long distances but were prevented from entering the area.
Those who could not wait for explanation to what was happening had to buy another tickets on other airlines not using the MMA2 at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT).
The unions alleged that the operators of the terminal, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) sacked 20 employees who indicated interest to unionise.
The unions had in a Notice of Strike on Tuesday threatened to disrupt operations at the terminal operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) tomorrow.
Airlines affected by the action included Arik Air, Medview Airline, Azman Air, Max Air, Dana Air and Aero Contractors, which operate flights from the terminal.
There was heavy presence of security operatives, including the Police and officers of the Nigeria Air Force, in the area during the protest.
General Secretary ATSSSAN, Frances Akinjole told journalists that the unions were compelled to carry out the action following the refusal of the BASL management to accede to their demands.
His words, “This issue started since May when these workers were laid off for indicating interest to belong to unions.
“The regulator of the industry, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as well as aviation security agencies has intervened in series of meetings, but BASL management has refused to do the needful to avert this crisis.”
Akinjole denied knowledge of any court order restraining the unions from carrying out the action, stressing that what they were doing had legal backings.
Also, Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, NUATE, said the unions had issued the notice of strike to the public to afford travellers the opportunity of making alternative traveling arrangements.
However, Bi-Courtney in a statement issued by its spokesman, Steve Omolale, said the company had obtained a court order from the Federal High Court, Lagos restraining the unions from shutting down Nigeria’s only privately-owned terminal, describing the actions of the unions as ‘illegal’.
The statement said: “We will like to bring it to the attention of the entire public that the Federal High Court in Lagos in suit number FHC/L/CS/16412/18 has granted an order restraining the unions from carrying out their threats of disrupting the activities of the terminal.
“Pursuant to this order, members of the unions found in the premises of MMA2 would be liable to trespass.
“We reserve our right under the law of Nigeria to deal with such person as a trespasser.”
