NCAA urges restraint as aviation unions’ strike disrupts flights
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on aviation unions to “sheathe their swords” and hold further industrial action pending the return of Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, even as it assured travellers that flight safety remains uncompromised amid ongoing disruptions.
In a press statement on Tuesday, the NCAA said it is “aware of the ongoing industrial action by aviation unions and its impact on passengers and other stakeholders,” and urged the unions to “exercise restraint pending the return of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) who has been actively working towards resolving the issues.”
The authority added that a meeting convened by the minister last week to address the dispute “could not hold as the airline operators failed to honour the invitation.”
Safety oversight intact, but passengers bear the brunt
While pushing for dialogue, the NCAA emphasised that “flight safety remains uncompromised, and that the Authority continues to exercise its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.”
It appealed to “all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation,” expressing confidence that “the matter will be resolved shortly and normal flight operations will resume as soon as practicable.”
Acknowledging the fallout for travellers, the regulator said it “regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers and appreciates their patience and understanding.”
