Day 12: Aero Contractors Still Grounded

Nigeria’s second largest airline, Aero Contractors, remained grounded on Monday, twelve days after a labour crisis paralysed its activities nationwide.

Workers stormed Aero headquarters in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, on Monday morning after learning that officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, had gone to audit Aero’s financial books and may allow the airline to fly again.

“Aero is not safe to fly now. We need NCAA officials to understand it,” workers said via a loud speakers as NCAA watched from upstairs.

Aero has sacked hundreds of striking workers and advertised their positions last week, even as the court declared the action illigal last Thursday.

The crowd at Aero headquarters today was leaner as fewer workers showed up.

“Many people are tired,” a worker said.

At the terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, few passengers could be seen boarding Dana, IRS and Med-View airlines flights.

At the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, Arik Air, Nigeria’s largest airline, was finding it hard to fill the gap.

—Simon Ateba