Air Peace has restarted flight services across the country after an industrial action by aviation unions grounded operations at its major hubs in Lagos, Enugu, and Abuja earlier on Tuesday, stranding domestic passengers.
Confirming the resumption to PUNCH Online, airline spokesman Efe Whiskey stated, “We are operating flights already. Flights will operate today irrespective of the situation.”
The unions, led by the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, commenced picketing in the early hours of Tuesday. The action followed a seven-day ultimatum issued on 28 July over the alleged non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC).
Air Peace rejected the claims, noting that the fee had already been remitted directly to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The carrier further questioned why it was singled out for disruption while rival airlines continued to fly normally.
“These people stated that they were going to picket all Nigerian airlines. However, the likes of Ibom Air, Enugu Air, even Aero, operated flights today,” Whiskey said, alleging the action was triggered because Air Peace personnel refused to join union ranks.
According to the spokesperson, Air Peace staff staged a peaceful demonstration to oppose unionisation before union representatives infiltrated the gathering. He maintained that the carrier remains resolute in its refusal to join, noting that only legacy operators such as Arik Air and Aero Contractors are unionised.