Air Peace’s unions’ actions at the airports raised serious questions that remain unanswered. The airline puts its losses at around ₦2 billion, with passengers stranded and operations heavily disrupted.
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have stayed silent, leaving many wondering why Air Peace was singled out. A meeting called by Minister Festus Keyamo brought temporary calm, but it did not explain the selective treatment or the role of the unions as apparent debt enforcers for the regulator.
The unions’ move went far beyond peaceful picketing. Reports indicate staff were attacked, equipment damaged, and operations crippled at both Lagos and Abuja airports. This directly contradicts a Federal High Court judgment that had already restrained the unions from picketing or coercing Air Peace and its workers.
Air Peace’s Chief Operating Officer, Toyin Olajide, stated that the airline paid over ₦17 billion to the NCAA in 2025 and had already settled about ₦7.5 billion this year under an agreed payment plan after the regulator finally issued the relevant invoices. The airline had previously received a commendation letter for prompt payments.
The bigger concern is the precedent this sets. If an airline’s operations can be shut down over regulatory disputes, it sends a troubling signal to lessors, financiers and international partners who support Nigerian carriers.
Until the Ministry, NCAA, FAAN and the unions provide clear answers, many will continue to ask the same question: why was Air Peace targeted?
