Domestic airlines have drawn a line against further disruption of their operations by aviation labour unions with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) that its members could ground domestic flights nationwide if any airline is picketed again.
The association also wants the federal government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to involve domestic airlines in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, saying operators should have input into plans that will directly affect their flights and passengers.
The positions were contained in a communique issued after the AON General Meeting held on September 23, 2026 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, where the operators discussed security concerns, airport infrastructure and other issues affecting domestic airline operations.
AON’s position came after the August 11 disruption of Air Peace operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport terminals in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. The association said more than 70 Air Peace flights were affected with losses estimated at over N2 billion, while more than 30 United Nigeria Airlines flights were disrupted affecting about 13,000 passengers. AON said any repeat of such disruption against one of its member airlines would trigger an immediate shutdown of domestic flight operations by its members across the country.
AON said the August disruption forced airlines to rebook passengers, provide accommodation, process refunds, reposition crew and reschedule aircraft, adding to the financial pressure on operators.
AON also called on the Federal Government and FAAN to involve domestic airlines from the early stages of the MMIA reconstruction and rehabilitation plans.
According to the association, airline input could help address passenger movement, terminal flow and facility layout before the reconstruction is completed, reducing the risk of design problems that could affect airport operations in the future.
The operators commended the federal government and FAAN for the ongoing upgrade of the airport but said airlines should have a role in decisions that directly affect their operations and passengers.
AON also called for tight airport security in response to the August disruption that the ability of groups to block access to airline terminals check-in counters and workstations raised concerns about the security of commercial aviation operations.
