By Benson Daniel
The lingering industrial dispute between Air Peace and aviation workers’ unions has taken a new turn, with the airline petitioning the Inspector General of Police over alleged violence, threats and conduct capable of disrupting public peace.
The petition has prompted a police investigation involving the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, with the union’s leadership invited to appear before the Police Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters.
The police invitation, dated August 26, directed the state chairman of ATSSSAN at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to appear alongside the state secretary on September 2, 2026.
The investigation covers allegations including conspiracy, threatening violence, inciting disturbance of public peace, assault occasioning harm and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The union has confirmed receipt of the invitation and said its officials would honour the request to appear before the police.
The development comes against the backdrop of a growing disagreement between aviation unions and domestic airlines over workers’ rights, unionisation and employment conditions.
ATSSSAN, the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers have accused some airlines of frustrating efforts by workers to join unions of their choice.
The unions have maintained that workers in the aviation industry should be allowed to freely organise and participate in trade union activities without intimidation or restrictions.
The dispute has previously resulted in picketing activities involving some airlines, increasing tensions between organised labour and airline operators.
Union representatives have argued that the weakening of trade unionism in the private aviation sector has created concerns over workers’ welfare, job security and employment conditions.
They have also maintained that the welfare and stability of aviation workers are closely linked to safety and operational efficiency within the industry.
The latest police investigation adds a new dimension to the dispute, potentially shifting part of the conflict from the industrial relations arena into a law enforcement process.
The unions have, however, indicated their willingness to cooperate with the investigation while continuing to press their demands on workers’ rights and unionisation.
The development is being closely watched by stakeholders in the aviation sector as both airlines and organised labour seek to resolve the underlying disagreements without further disruption to air travel and passenger services.
The outcome of the police investigation and ongoing discussions between the unions and airline operators could determine the next phase of the dispute and its potential impact on Nigeria’s aviation industry.
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