Air Peace has disclosed that it incurred more than N2 billion in losses following Tuesday’s industrial action by aviation unions, accusing the workers’ groups of disrupting its operations despite a subsisting Federal High Court judgment.

The airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Lagos while addressing journalists on the disruption, which she said affected thousands of passengers and caused substantial operational losses.

Olajide alleged that the picketing of Air Peace operations was unlawful, violent and contrary to the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court on April 26, 2024, in a case instituted by some of the airline’s employees.

The unions had reportedly based their action on grievances surrounding the payment of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and the alleged failure of some airlines to allow workers to unionise.

But Olajide questioned the decision to target Air Peace, insisting that the Ticket Sales Charge issue was not peculiar to the airline.

She said the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority had publicly confirmed that airlines were complying with the regulator’s directives on the applicable payment.

“Why was Air Peace singled out for violent and disruptive picketing?” she asked.

On the issue of unionisation, the Air Peace executive maintained that employees had the constitutional right to decide whether they wanted to belong to a union.

She claimed that more than 98 per cent of Nigerian airlines were not unionised, while employees of Air Peace had expressly indicated that they did not want to join a union.

According to her, the airline had neither prevented its workers from exercising their rights nor compelled them to reject union membership.

Olajide further alleged that some union members encouraged passengers to shun Air Peace and patronise other airlines, despite the fact that several carriers were also affected by the issues being raised.

She described the development as requiring government intervention and investigation.

The COO also alleged that some Air Peace workers were assaulted during the picketing, including a female employee who was reportedly injured.

“How can workers’ rights be defended by violently attacking workers exercising their own constitutional rights?” she asked.

Olajide expressed concern over how individuals gained access to restricted areas of the airport, arguing that airports were sensitive national assets that should not be exposed to acts capable of compromising security and flight operations.

She said the incident could also have implications for confidence in Nigeria’s aviation industry, noting that international partners and aircraft lessors of the airline had expressed concerns over the development.

The airline executive also stressed that passengers suffered as a result of the industrial action, arguing that travellers should not be prevented from exercising their right to move.

She subsequently cited the April 26, 2024 judgment of the Federal High Court involving Air Peace employees, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Inspector-General of Police and other parties.

According to Olajide, the court ruled against attempts to compel Air Peace workers to join unions against their will and issued a perpetual injunction restraining the unions from harassing the airline’s employees or instigating actions capable of causing harm to staff, lives or property.

She added that the court directed the police to enforce compliance with the judgment across the country.

The COO therefore described Tuesday’s action as a breach of the subsisting court order and an affront to the rule of law.

She also alleged that the disruption constituted unlawful interference under applicable aviation security regulations, adding that Air Peace would pursue the matter through the appropriate legal and regulatory channels.

“Our position is therefore unequivocal: our employees have the constitutional right to choose, our passengers have the constitutional right to travel, and Air Peace has the right to operate without unlawful interference,” Olajide said.

She called on the Federal Government, security agencies, airport authorities and aviation regulators to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.

According to her, Air Peace possesses video footage and other evidence that could help investigators identify those allegedly involved in the disruption and reported violence.

“This is not about being anti-union. It is about constitutional rights, freedom of choice, employee safety, passenger welfare and the rule of law,” she added.

Olajide warned that allowing such disruptions to continue could set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s aviation industry.

She urged labour unions and other stakeholders to resolve industrial disputes through lawful mechanisms without compromising passenger safety, airport security or the continuity of flight operations.