Turkish Airlines has warned it may suspend its flight operations to Nigeria following the picketing of its offices at Lagos and Abuja airports by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).
In a statement, the airline expresses regret over Tuesday’s protest, describing the action as disruptive despite ongoing dialogue between the company and the union.
According to the statement, the airline rejects NUATE’s allegation that it had violated Nigeria’s labour laws in its relationship with staff, insisting that its operations in the country fully comply with the nation’s labour and regulatory frameworks.
It states that the safety and security of its passengers, employees, and operations remain its top priority, adding that it is committed to continued engagement with relevant stakeholders to resolve the dispute.
However, the statement warns that it may be forced to review its flight schedule, including the possibility of cancelling operations to Nigeria, if the operating environment becomes unsafe or unstable.
“We remain committed to continuing discussions with relevant parties to reach a responsible and constructive resolution,” the airline said,
The statement urges stakeholders to pursue their concerns through established legal and dialogue channels rather than disruptive actions.
According to the statement, the protest by NUATE on Tuesday disrupted the airline’s operations at the airports, with about 300 passengers reportedly unable to board their flights in Lagos.
It stresses that Union officials say the action followed the alleged dismissal of seven employees over union activities.
NUATE also claims that some workers dismissed in 2020 had yet to receive their benefits six years after their termination.
The union further accuses the airline of failing to comply with a court order directing the reinstatement of the affected staff, warning that the protest would continue until justice is served.
