Why Air Peace? The Selective Targeting of Nigeria’s Largest Airline Must Stop

Nigerians must question the selective targeting of Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, following a recent series of strikes and disruptions by aviation industry unions. This is not the first instance of such action against Air Peace, which has found itself in the crosshairs of industrial action even when unconnected to any dispute.

So, what has changed this time? And why does Air Peace seem to be the continual target? The unions have cited two main reasons: the alleged refusal of Air Peace employees to join the unions and a purported debt owed by the airlines to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for a five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC). However, upon closer examination, there are significant issues with the justification for the action.

The alleged debt has been resolved, as the NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, reported an agreement for its settlement with all airlines under the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON). If this agreement is genuine and the airlines are complying, why is Air Peace a target now? Records show that the airline has consistently paid substantial ticket charges and other fees, indicating a reluctance to view Air Peace as the sole victim of any debt issue.

Furthermore, union officials have reportedly instructed passengers to purchase tickets from other airlines, which is inconsistent with neutral industrial action and raises questions about the true motivations behind the campaign. The second justification—that Air Peace workers must join the unions—raises serious concerns about the freedom of association.

Workers have enjoyed a cordial relationship with management for at least a decade and have received numerous benefits, including travel privileges and healthcare benefits. Comrade Aminu Suleiman, a union leader, stated that workers have the constitutional right to choose whether to join or not. The current dispute concerning union membership appears to be coercive, and questions need to be asked about the motives of the unions.

Bringing Air Peace workers into the union fold could increase union revenue, but it is unjust to coerce satisfied workers into membership. The real issue here is the targeting of the airline, not the workers' rights. Additionally, allegations of physical assaults on Air Peace workers during the picketing sessions further undermine the legitimacy of the action.

Industrial action should not provide a license for violence or intimidation. The broader consequences of these actions extend beyond Air Peace. Passengers were stranded, flights were disrupted, and airports became chaotic, causing significant economic losses for businesses and personal inconvenience for families attempting to reorganize travel plans.

Responsible industrial action should avoid causing unnecessary hardship to the public while addressing genuine concerns. This incident underscores the need for responsible industrial relations in Nigeria, where unions should focus on genuine grievances rather than selectively targeting airlines for revenue or influence purposes.