Air Peace, Max Air, Other Aviation Firms Blacklist Flights to Imo Nationwide, Unions Speak
- Labour unions in the aviation sector have announced the suspension of flights to Imo state from any airport in Nigeria
- The unions said the directives follow the manhandling of NUC President Joe Ajaero
- The unions also said the blacklisting of flights to Imo state was indefinite until otherwise directed
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Unions in the aviation industry have directed the withdrawal of all flights to Owerri, the Imo state capital, from all airports in Nigeria.
The move was in response to the directive of the labour unions, comprising the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), following the manhandling of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.
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Unions explain reasons for blacklisting the state
The unions include the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAPPE).
Daily Trust reports that the unions disclosed this in a joint statement signed by the association’s secretaries.
The statement reads:
“Following the escalation of the imbroglio created by the mayhem unleashed on workers by the Imo State Government of Hope Uzodimma and the continued insensitivity of the Government over the matter, and in compliance with the directive of the joint NEC session of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the unions mentioned earlier, being affiliates of NLC and TUC, now direct all aviation workers (both public and private) to withdraw all services to all Owerri flights (inwards and outwards) from any airport in Nigeria with effect from midnight of 08/11/2023 (today).
“In addition, the person of Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State, is hereby declared persona non grata at all airports in Nigeria until he purges himself of crude tendencies.
“Our unions will make further efforts through our international affiliations to blacklist Hope Uzodimma worldwide.
“Furthermore, all aviation workers in Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, are hereby directed to stay at home, also with effect from midnight today (08/11/2023) as directed by NLC and TUC.
The strike action, according to the association, will remain indefinite until otherwise directed by NLC and TUC, the unions revealed.
Foreign and domestic airlines fume over trapped funds
The move comes as local and foreign airlines in Nigeria raised the alarm of funds trapped with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Foreign airlines have said that about 90% of their $783 million trapped funds in Nigeria remain unpaid.
The airlines revealed this at a stakeholders’ forum convened by the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, in Lagos recently.
Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed that as of August 2023, Nigeria owes about $783 million of block funds belonging to airlines.
The airlines revealed that a significant portion of the funds remained inaccessible. Nigeria has constantly cited a lack of Forex for unpaid debts as it grapples with huge backlogs, which it began to clear recently.
Nigeria is Africa's most indebted country to airlines
IATA stated on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, that the number of airline funds due for repatriation but blocked by governments has hit $394 million in the last six months.
The body noted that blocked funds total nearly $2 billion globally and in more than 27 countries.
The five most indebted countries are Nigeria at $551 million, Pakistan at $225 million, Bangladesh at $208 million, Lebanon at $144 million, and Algeria at $140 million.
The chairman of International Airline Operators, Chima Kingsley, said that while international banks got some funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria, it only accounted for a small fraction of less than 1o% of the trapped funds.
Air Peace, Dana, Max Air, and other Nigerian airlines are missing from the 10 best-performing airlines in Africa
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigerian airlines were not listed among top 10 best-performing airlines in Africa.
The development comes despite the fact that one of Nigeria’s largest carriers, Air Peace, announced it had been certified to fly the Lagos-London as well as Jeddah routes.
Source: Legit.ng
