The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has appealed to aviation unions to suspend their ongoing industrial action and return to dialogue, following disruptions to flight operations across the country.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo.
The aviation regulator acknowledged the difficulties caused by the industrial action, particularly for passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted, but urged the unions and other parties involved in the dispute to exercise restraint while efforts continue to resolve the matter.
The NCAA specifically called on the aviation unions to suspend the action and allow room for further discussions, pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who it said had been actively involved in efforts to settle the disagreement.
According to the Authority, the Minister had already taken steps towards addressing the issues that resulted in the industrial action. The NCAA said a meeting called by Keyamo last week was expected to provide an opportunity for the parties to resolve their differences, but the meeting could not take place because airline operators did not attend.
The regulator expressed confidence that the dispute could still be resolved through engagement rather than continued disruption of aviation services.
The NCAA’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over the effect of the industrial action on passengers, airlines and other businesses that depend on uninterrupted air transportation.
Despite the disruption to flight schedules, the aviation authority sought to reassure travellers that the industrial action had not affected the safety of aircraft operations.
The regulator said it was continuing to carry out its statutory safety oversight responsibilities and insisted that flight safety remained intact.
The assurance is significant because aviation is a highly safety-sensitive sector, where disruptions involving airlines, airports and aviation workers can raise concerns among travellers. The NCAA, however, maintained that the current industrial dispute should not be interpreted as a compromise of the safety standards governing commercial flights in Nigeria.
The Authority therefore urged passengers to remain calm while the relevant stakeholders work towards a resolution.
The latest dispute has affected the operations of Air Peace, particularly amid a labour disagreement connected to the Imo State Government.
Aviation unions had directed workers to stop flights to Owerri, the Imo State capital, as part of organised labour’s position on the lingering dispute.
The action created wider consequences for air travellers because the disruption was not limited to passengers travelling directly to Owerri. Air Peace reported that its operations in Lagos, Abuja and Owerri were affected, with more than 110 flights either cancelled or disrupted.
The airline also estimated that the disruption could result in losses of more than ₦400 million.
Earlier reports of the dispute showed that organised labour’s action had prevented airlines from operating flights into Owerri, leaving passengers stranded at different airports. Air Peace had questioned the decision to disrupt its operations over a dispute in which it said it had no direct involvement.
Reports from the period documented the airline’s position that it had no affiliation with the Imo State Government or Governor Hope Uzodimma and therefore should not have been targeted as part of the labour action.
The airline also argued that stopping its flights had consequences beyond the Owerri route because its aircraft and schedules were linked to several destinations across the country. Consequently, disruption at one point in its network could lead to cancellations, delays and operational challenges elsewhere.
The impact of such action can be significant for passengers, particularly those travelling for business, medical appointments, family commitments and other time-sensitive activities.
The aviation unions, however, maintained that their action was connected to the broader labour dispute and expected affected airlines to comply with the directive.
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), whose General Secretary, Ocheme Aba, was identified in the report, said airlines had been informed about the directive concerning flights to Owerri.
The present intervention by the NCAA is therefore aimed at preventing the dispute from escalating further and restoring normal operations across affected airports.
The regulator’s appeal for dialogue also places pressure on all sides to consider the wider consequences of prolonged industrial action in the aviation sector.
Air transportation plays an important role in Nigeria’s economy, connecting major commercial centres and providing a faster alternative to road transportation. Any prolonged disruption can therefore affect not only passengers and airlines but also tourism, business activities, airport service providers and other businesses operating within the aviation ecosystem.
The NCAA said the Minister remained engaged in efforts to address the issues behind the dispute. It appealed to the unions to exercise restraint and allow the dialogue process to continue.
The Authority also expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved shortly, paving the way for the restoration of normal flight operations.
For passengers already affected by cancellations or disruptions, the development offers the prospect of a return to normal schedules once an agreement is reached among the parties.
The regulator apologised to travellers for the inconvenience caused by the industrial action and thanked them for their patience and understanding.
The NCAA’s latest position underscores the delicate balance between workers’ rights to pursue legitimate grievances and the need to maintain essential aviation services without unnecessarily exposing passengers and airlines to prolonged disruption.
As negotiations continue, attention will now focus on the aviation unions, airline operators and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to determine whether a mutually acceptable resolution can be reached.
Until then, the NCAA’s message is clear: the parties should return to dialogue, suspend the industrial action and work towards restoring uninterrupted flight operations, while the regulator continues to maintain oversight of aviation safety across the country.