Aviation unions have vowed to resist alleged attempts by some domestic airlines to prevent their workers from joining trade unions of their choice.

The unions – Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (TASSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) in a Zoom meeting yesterday, warned that such practices negatively affect workers’ rights and could further worsen industrial relations in the sector.

The unions, which accused several airlines of intimidating workers who attempt to unionise, said they would continue to mobilise employees across the industry to embrace trade unionism and fight for improved working conditions.

One of the panellists, the General Secretary of NAAPE, Olayinka Abioye, lamented the decline of trade unionism in Nigeria’s aviation industry following the liquidation of Nigeria Airways by the Federal Government in 2024.

According to him, the former national carrier had about 10,000 unionised workers before it was liquidated, but the airline’s collapse and the subsequent movement of its workers into private aviation companies created a major setback for unionism in the industry.

Abioye alleged that many workers who subsequently moved into private aviation organisations were prevented from joining unions of their choice. He claimed that out of the 18 domestic airlines operating in the country, only Arik Air and Aero Contractors currently have unionised workers, alleging that the remaining 16 airlines do not allow union activities among their employees.

He said: “In the last 15 to 20 years, the aviation unions in Nigeria have been aggressive in mobilising workers for unionism. Trade unionism died when Nigeria Airways was wrongly liquidated by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, as the airline had about 10,000 union members before the liquidation.

“The workers in the airlines are willing to join the unions, but they are being threatened by their employers. Out of the 18 domestic airlines, only Arik and Aero Contractors have union members; the other 16 carriers don’t allow unionism.

“Ninety-five per cent of workers in Ibom Air are willing to join the unions, but their management bluntly refused them. Only pilots and engineers in the airlines are the ones enjoying the airlines, while others are poorly paid, yet no one can change their course. Even the pilots who are well-paid don’t have after-service rights because they can be sacked at any time without benefits.”

Another panelist, the Treasurer, NUATE, Safiya Araga, described the alleged restriction of workers from joining trade unions as a serious violation of labour rights. Araga cited the 2025 Global Rights Index of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which listed Nigeria among the 10 countries worldwide where workers’ rights are being violated.

She questioned the position of airlines that belong to employers’ associations and other industry bodies, while denying their own employees the freedom to join workers’ organisations.

Araga argued that airlines had formed and belonged to various associations in Nigeria and internationally to protect their collective interests, stressing that workers should equally be allowed to organise themselves.