Turkish Airlines is set to resume the airlift of Nigerian passengers who have been stranded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos since Tuesday.
This development follows the successful intervention of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which brokered peace between the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the airline.
The resolution came after NUATE picketed the airline, disrupting operations due to the dismissal of seven Turkish Airlines staff accused of ticket racketeering amounting to $600,000.
The airline alleged that the union might be siding with the dismissed workers, who were found guilty of corrupt practices by a disciplinary committee that included NUATE representatives.
Following a meeting involving key stakeholders, including Michael Achimugu, Acting Director General of Civil Aviation, and NUATE’s General Secretary, Ochema Aba, an agreement was reached to temporarily halt further disruptions. This will enable the airlift of both inbound and outbound stranded passengers.
Turkish Airlines emphasized that the disciplinary proceedings were transparent, with clear evidence presented against the implicated staff. Despite the union’s involvement and agreement on the misconduct, NUATE threatened industrial action unless the sacked employees were reinstated.
