There was chaos at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos as ground handlers of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) embarked on industrial action on Monday.

The situation has caused confusion at the airport with affected airliners namely Qatar Airways and Royal Air Maroc seen trying to pacify an already feisty passenger.

The protesting ground handlers are asking for increased salaries and other improved welfare conditions. NAHCO had reportedly gone to court and obtained an injunction stopping the workers from embarking on strike.

An official of one of the unions at the airport, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATTSSSAN), confirmed the strike to Channels Television but said the industrial was embarked upon by the workers and not by the union.

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) had in a statement last week directed its members to withdraw services from the airport.

“In the above regard, all NAHCO staff are hereby directed to withdraw services with effect from Monday 23, 2023. This action shall be definite until otherwise directed by the secretariats of the unions,” the notices read in part.

=Channels TV