JUST IN: Airlines relocate to GAT as blockade of MMA2 continues

As the shutdown of MMA 2 operations by aviation unions continue, airlines have relocated to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja Lagos where they are having seamless operations, Daily Trust reports.

This is as stakeholders including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are making frantic efforts to resolve the impasse which led to the blockade of the private terminal of Lagos airport operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL).

The management of BASL and aviation unions comprising the Nigerian Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) and Nigeria Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) are at war over the disengagement of 20 workers.

The unions as early as 6:00 am on Wednesday picketed BASL and prevented flights from departing at the terminal. Banks and other businesses operating in the terminal were also affected.

However it was learnt that airlines operating within MMA2 terminal including Med-View, Azman Air, Dana, Arik Air, Overland and Max Air had to relocate to the GAT to operate their flights.

It was gathered that there was an arrangement with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to allow the airlines use the terminal to reduce the suffering of passengers.

This arrangement continues this morning as talks are ongoing to resolve the impasse.

But the unions have increased their presence at BASL blocking the entrance with a truck and vowing to sustain the action until Bi-Courtney reverses decision to lay off their members.