BREAKING: Aviation workers shut down flight operations at Kano airport

Flight operations at Mallam Aminu Kano Airport (MAKIA) has been disrupted over a dispute between Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

Solacebase reports that flights schedule to leave Kano on Monday morning were disrupted as the Air Traffic Controllers suspended their operations which affected landing and take-off of flights.

Flights such as AZMAN and Max Air scheduled for Abuja and Lagos were not allowed to leave.

Passengers after boarding the flights were later told to disembark as the Air Traffic Controllers shut down their operations.

Read Also: Flights disruption looms as aviation workers commence nationwide protest Monday

Solacebase was informed that Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) shut down air navigation services for flights in and out of Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) over power supply to NAMA facilities and staff accommodations that were disconnected.

A source at the airport told Solacebase that very important personalities stranded at the airport including some federal lawmakers, deputy governors and others are already intervening to sort out the differences so as to restore flights operation.

It was gathered that on Friday, FAAN disconnected power supply to all NAMA staff accommodations due to non-payment of electricity bills.

Meanwhile, aviation workers under the auspices of the National Union of Air Transport Employees; Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria; Association of Nigerian Association Professionals; Amalgamated Unions of Public Corporations; Civil Service Technical & Recreational Services Employees, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, have declared nationwide protest to hold today, Monday.

The unions directed their members to “embark on peaceful rallies/public demonstrations at all airports in Nigeria to demand the expunging of obnoxious Essential Services clauses from the Bills/Acts of the aviation agencies.”

The workers unions directed members to make internal arrangements to ensure full compliance.