SaharaReporters gathered that the shutdown was carried out on the directive of the national leadership of aviation unions, following growing dissatisfaction over the handling of the concession process and its implications for workers’ welfare.
Flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, were shut down on Friday after aviation workers embarked on an industrial action, protesting against the Federal Government’s concessioning of the airport.
SaharaReporters gathered that the shutdown was carried out on the directive of the national leadership of aviation unions, following growing dissatisfaction over the handling of the concession process and its implications for workers’ welfare.
A source familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that workers were angered by reports that the airport had been concessioned to a South-East governor and a prominent businessman from Anambra State without any clear guarantees about the fate of existing staff.
“The airport has been concessioned without taking into consideration the welfare of the workers,” the source said.
“All we know is that they said full concessioning will come into effect in two years’ time, but nothing was said about the future of the workers when the new owners take over.”
According to the source, aviation unions have made repeated attempts to engage the alleged concessionaires and government officials, but those efforts have yielded no concrete commitments.
“Aviation unions have made several efforts to engage them, including one of the South-East governors and a popular billionaire investor from Anambra State, but they are not forthcoming on their plans for the workers,” the source added.
“So, this morning, the workers received a directive from the national offices of the aviation unions to shut down flight operations. That’s exactly what is happening.”
As a result of the protest, passengers were forced out of the terminal building and left stranded, while all flight operations at the airport were suspended.
Multiple sources confirmed to SaharaReporters that Enugu-bound flights from Abuja and Lagos were also shelved, compounding the disruption.
Enugu Air in a post on its official X handle confirmed the protest, saying, “All originating flights from Enugu are currently experiencing delays due to an ongoing airport staff protest.
“Our team is contacting affected passengers directly.”
Videos already circulating on social media, seen by SaharaReporters show angry passengers milling around the airport premises, some expressing frustration over the sudden shutdown and lack of information from authorities.
Efforts to get official comments from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the aviation unions were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
https://x.com/udoegwim/status/