Flight operations were disrupted on Friday at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, following an industrial action by aviation workers protesting the Federal Government’s plan to concession the airport.
Enugu airport
The protest reportedly stemmed from dissatisfaction over the handling of the concession process and concerns about the welfare and future of existing workers.
Sources within the aviation unions alleged that the airport had been concessioned to a South-East governor and a prominent businessman from Anambra State without clear assurances on staff retention and conditions of service.
“The airport has been concessioned without taking into consideration the welfare of the workers. We were only told that full concessioning would come into effect in two years, but nothing has been said about the fate of workers when the new owners take over,” a source said.
According to the source, aviation unions had made repeated attempts to engage the alleged concessionaires and relevant government officials, but those engagements had not produced concrete commitments.
“Aviation unions have tried to engage them, including one of the South-East governors and a well-known investor from Anambra State, but there has been no clarity on plans for the workers,” the source added.
The source further said workers received a directive from the national leadership of the aviation unions on Friday morning to shut down flight operations.
“As a result, flight operations were halted. That directive is what we are implementing,” the source said.
Following the industrial action, passengers were reportedly asked to vacate the terminal building, leaving many stranded as all scheduled flights were suspended.
Videos circulating on social media showed passengers gathered around the airport premises, with some expressing frustration over the sudden disruption and lack of official information.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the aviation unions had yet to issue official statements on the development.
