Hundreds of air travellers were stranded across major Nigerian airports early on Monday, as workers of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc embark on an indefinite strike over “poor wages.”
It was learnt that Qatar Airways even had to make an air return to Doha with Nigerian-bound passengers due to the strike action by the NAHCO workers that has paralysed the industry.
NewsBeatng reports that the workers were led by their unions – the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).
It was gathered that the striking workers earlier informed NAHCO of the planned strike and that the management pleaded with the workers not to embark on the action, but they ignored the plea.
This it was learnt compelled the management to approach the court in an attempt to stop the workers from embarking on the strike, which failed.
Apart from NAHCO, it was reported that Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc was also notified of a similar strike by its workers. But the wage issue was amicably resolved between the two unions and the management of SAHCO.
As of this morning (Monday), most of the airlines handled by NAHCO could not land or take off as planned, except the indigenous carriers like Air Peace, which made alternative arrangements to airlift their passengers at all the stations it operates into.
Other international airlines that may be affected by the disruption to work include Virgin Atlantic, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, Delta Air Lines, Air France, AKSY, Egypt Air and Rwandair amongst others.
