There is tension across the country today as all flights have been grounded as a result of strike action by aviation sectors staff.
The action has thrown both international and local airlines into confusion with flights already being diverted.
An official of the National Aviation Handling Company who spoke with NPO Reports said the suspension of all flights might continue till further notice.
In one of the messages by one of the airlines, Air Peace which was sent to it’s passengers, Air Peace said due to NAHCO strike, It’s flight schedule has changed.
“Your 6:15am flight, P47420, Lagos to Kano for today, 23rd January, 2023 will now depart at 10:00am. We honestly understand the resulting consequence and regret the effect of this unexpected time change on your travel plans. Please bear with us,” Air Peace stated.
It was learnt that the strike was due to salary increment.
NPOReports learnt that NAHCO staff in the early hours of Monday walked out of the international airport. They allegedly said they were on strike and would not handle any passenger.
“Even the Qatar flight I’m traveling with this morning landed and has returned to Doha as there’s no one to handle them,”a passenger who spoke on a condition of anonymity narrated
He said passengers are frustrated as they have been kept outside to avoid a crisis and no information, announcements or emails was sent to passengers.
NAHCO handles check-in, boarding and ramp services for several international airlines including Air France/KLM, Qatar, Ethiopian Airlines, Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Air.
Some of the flights disrupted so far by the industrial action include those of Royal Air Maroc which was stopped by protesting ground handlers around 2am on Monday. Also affected was that of Qatar Airways.