How MMA2 blockade affected 1,900 air passengers

The blockade of the MMA2 airport terminal in Lagos affected over 1,900 passengers, just as the strike which started on Tuesday, has been called off.

The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) held the strike against Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) over the sack of 34 members of the union.

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During the period from Tuesday, airlines were forced to relocate temporarily. However, yesterday, the union said it called off the industrial action following the intervention by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and other airport security agencies at a meeting in Lagos.

“The strike that was embarked upon today (Tuesday) against the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited has been called off pursuant to the acceptance by the company to recall the laid off members of our union and an undertaking to pay their salaries.

“The agreement was reached at a meeting empaneled by the Ministry of Labour & Employment; NCAA; FAAN; NAMA and airport security agencies,” it said.

Spiking on the effect of the strike on airlines and passengers, the Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi, said: “For starters, my airline had 31 flights scheduled for today, 98% of them either originating, terminating or linked to an originating flight from Lagos. This meant that we disrupted the programmes of approximately 1,900 paid-up passengers. Only God knows how to fully quantify this in not just economic, but also trauma terms.

“For us the airline, a lot of the catering ordered, paid for and delivered for our flights today is now waiting (due to perishability). We were forced to reschedule at least 1,000 already booked and confirmed passengers on other flights from tomorrow, costing us heavily in lost revenue.”