Foreign airlines may operate during NLC strike

Ahead of the proposed national strike commencing tomorrow, there are indications that foreign airlines operating into Nigeria may not be affected.

President of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Illitrus Ahmadu gave the hint on Monday in a chat with newsmen, saying foreign carriers may be exempted as the issue on ground is a domestic matter.

Aviation unions have issued notice of strike to ground all aviation-related services in compliance with the national strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The ATSSSAN boss said if the talks between the labour unions and the Federal Government fail, the unions would obey the directive of the labour centres and shut down the airspace.

He, however, said that the unions were not unmindful of existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASAs) Nigeria signed with foreign countries which enable their airlines to operate into the country.

To this end, he said the foreign carriers might not be hindered from operating during the period, recalling that during the fuel pump price hike of January 2012, the unions allowed international airlines to reschedule their flights from 6am to 6pm.

He said: “The fact is that we are affiliated to labour centres and we are under obligation to comply with directives. So, from the strike notice issued so far, we are to shut down by mid-night of today. However, as we speak, the tripartite discussions have resumed; they are in a meeting and our hope is that something good will come out of the meeting so that we will no longer embark on the strike.

“You know, we are in a very volatile industry. This is our own national problem; we have several bilateral agreements with most foreign nations that their airlines fly into Nigeria. It is our domestic problem. We should not allow it to adversely affect the fortunes of the international operators. We have offered a corridor where we will accommodate them. The major shut down we have had in this industry so far was during the price hike of fuel during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime.

“You will recall then that in line with our respect for international obligations, we allowed a dispensation wherein the foreign airlines were advised to reschedule their schedules so that they can fly in within 6pm and 6am the following day. We are looking at that”.