Flight operations have resumed at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, following an earlier shutdown by aviation workers protesting the Federal Government’s plan to concession the facility.
The protest disrupted airport activities on Friday and left many passengers stranded. Workers reportedly restricted access to the terminal and halted flight movements in opposition to the decision by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to concession the airport.
Reports indicated that the aviation unions were unhappy with the concession process, alleging that it was carried out without proper consultation and engagement. The workers said the move lacked transparency and failed to consider the welfare and interests of aviation personnel.
In mid-January, the minister reportedly signed a concession agreement for the Enugu airport. This action sparked strong resistance from key aviation unions, including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals.
The unions, in a joint letter signed by their general secretaries, described the concession plan as insensitive, opaque, and exclusionary. They warned that industrial action could follow if the government failed to reverse the decision or initiate proper dialogue.
Barely nine days after the letter, airport operations were disrupted as workers shut down activities, preventing passengers and vehicles from gaining access to the terminal. Several scheduled flights were also affected.
However, in an update issued to passengers on Friday, Enugu Air announced that normal operations had been restored. The airline confirmed that while services had resumed, some morning flights were impacted by the protest and might face rescheduling.
The airline advised passengers to check their flight schedules and notifications before heading to the airport to avoid delays. It also apologized for the inconvenience caused and thanked travelers for their patience and understanding.
As of the time of filing this report, attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for comments were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not returned.
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