Suspend ongoing industrial action, NCAA urges unions

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has appealed to aviation unions to suspend their ongoing industrial action and exercise restraint pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

The NCAA, in a statement signed by its Director General, Capt Chris Ona Najomo, acknowledged the impact of the industrial action on passengers and other stakeholders across the aviation sector.

According to the agency, the minister has been actively working towards resolving the issues at the centre of the dispute and is expected to engage the parties upon his return.

The NCAA said a meeting convened by the minister last week to address the concerns could not be held because airline operators failed to honour the invitation.

The aviation regulator called on all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation, expressing confidence that the dispute would be resolved shortly and normal flight operations restored as soon as practicable.

The Authority also sought to reassure the travelling public that the industrial action had not compromised aviation safety.

“Flight safety remains uncompromised and we continue to exercise its statutory safety oversight responsibilities,” it said.

The regulator regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers and appealed to stakeholders to remain patient and understanding while efforts continue to resolve the dispute.