Flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, were shut down on Friday as aviation workers commenced an industrial action to protest the Federal Government’s plan to concession the airport.
SaharaReporters gathered that the shutdown followed a directive from the national leadership of aviation unions, amid growing dissatisfaction over the concession process and concerns about its impact on workers’ welfare.
A source familiar with the development said the workers were particularly angered by reports that the airport had been concessioned to a South-East governor and a prominent businessman from Anambra State, without clear assurances regarding the fate of existing staff.
“The airport has been concessioned without taking the welfare of workers into consideration,” the source said. “We were only told that full concessioning will take effect in two years, but nothing has been said about what will happen to the workers when the new owners take over.”
According to the source, aviation unions have made several attempts to engage the alleged concessionaires and relevant government officials, but those efforts have not produced any concrete commitments.
“Aviation unions have tried to engage them, including one of the South-East governors and a well-known billionaire investor from Anambra State, but they have not been forthcoming about their plans for the workers,” the source added.
“As a result, workers received a directive this morning from the national offices of the aviation unions to shut down flight operations.”
The protest led to the suspension of all flights at the airport, with passengers asked to leave the terminal building. Several travellers were left stranded, while Enugu-bound flights from Abuja and Lagos were also cancelled.
Enugu Air confirmed the disruption in a post on its official X handle, stating that all originating flights from Enugu were experiencing delays due to an ongoing airport staff protest, adding that affected passengers were being contacted directly.
Videos circulating on social media and seen by SaharaReporters showed passengers gathered around the airport premises, many expressing frustration over the sudden shutdown and lack of information.
Efforts to obtain official comments from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the aviation unions were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
