Aviation workers at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) have warned that any passenger choosing to travel during their indefinite strike does so at their own risk, as critical safety and support services remain offline.
The walkout initiated over unmet demands for salary adjustments, modern equipment, and improved working conditions has shuttered air traffic control, ground handling, maintenance, and meteorological operations.
Speaking at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) office today, the chairman of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Kadafur Haruna Joshua, said that flights cannot meet national and international safety standards without these services.
“Any flight that attempts to operate without full staffing and functioning radar, navigation, and forecasting systems is inherently unsafe," he said.
“Passengers boarding under such conditions must accept responsibility for the risks involved.”
The strike action has disrupted all scheduled flights for two days now, according to the chairman of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Umar Badamasi.
Badamasi, however, stressed that its "members won’t return until they see concrete action.”
On his part, the Secretary General of the Association of Meteorological Professionals of Nigeria (AMPON), Comrade Olujabe Temitope, lamented over the nonchalant attitude of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to address their concerns.
According to him, “the union will not call off the action until the government honours commitments made during previous dispute settlements.”
The key demands include NiMet’s refusal to implement the new minimum wage.
The union also cited unpaid staff allowances and the agency’s failure to provide essential training as part of their grievances.
To tackle the situation, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, called for a meeting with members of the protesting NiMet unions.
The meeting is scheduled to be held today (Thursday).
