Protesters under the aegis of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) picketed Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, Arik.
Protesters, numbering over a hundred had stormed the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and successfully grounded the operations of the airline over claims that the carrier owes over N1billion to the various aviation agencies.
They equally accused the airline of owing workers upward of five months.
The grounding of the airline led to stranding of passengers at various airports across the country and one that may lead to the dislocation of travel plans of many passengers, considering the fact that the airline has the biggest domestic market share.
The terminal was desolate during and after the protest as many who had been booked on Arik flights had to seek an alternative while many others went back home.
The airline is yet to comment on the disruption of its operations as this has been a recurring issue between the airline and the unions who have traded accusations and counter accusations over the exact amount the airline is said to owe various aviation agencies.
More details later…
