Flights in and out of Lagos airport paralysed as Nigerian Aviation Handling Company strike

INTERNATIONAL flights in and out of Lagos have been severely disrupted today after workers of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (Nahco) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport commenced industrial action.

This morning, the workers embarked on strike in a dispute of pay, after management declined their demand for a salary increment. Aviation expert, Alex Nuba, said that the Nahco staff commenced their strike  in the early hours of today, walking out of the international airport, saying they would not handle any passenger.

Mr Nuba added: “Even the Qatar flight I’m travelling with this morning landed and has returned to Doha as there’s no one to handle them.” He said passengers are frustrated as they have been kept outside to avoid a crisis and no information, announcements or emails was sent to them.

Nahco handles check-in, boarding and ramp services for several international airlines that use the Lagos airport including Air France/KLM, Qatar, Ethiopian Airlines, Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Turkish Air. Travellers say if the situation is not addressed, more flights would be grounded.