Hundreds Stranded At Nigerian Airports Due To Arik Air Strike

Hundreds of Arik air travellers were left stranded on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja as the staff of the Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Arik Air embarked on an indefinite strike.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that aviation unions had directed the commencement of a joint strike with effect from Tuesday over the airline’s failure to pay seven months’ salary arrears to their members.

The joint union comprised of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Senior Staff Services.

Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

The  airport on Tuesday was deserted,  there were no Arik workers on their ticket counter while many passengers were lamenting the situation.

Many domestic airlines are also not flying because of aviation fuel scarcity.

An official of the Airport who did not want his name in print told NAN that Arik had been the only domestic carrier with the capacity to manage the passenger traffic.

He said that the situation if not urgently handled, could affect flight operations during yuletide when there would be traffic upsurge.