NCAA Probes Air Peace Bus Parked on Lagos Airport Airside

The incident reportedly occurred as access to parts of the airport terminals was disrupted by the industrial action. The bus was subsequently removed to facilitate the movement of aircraft and other airport operations.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched an investigation into the parking of an Air Peace bus on the airside of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, during the recent industrial action by aviation unions.

The NCAA described the incident as an offence, warning that anyone found responsible would face appropriate sanctions.

The development followed the disruption of flight operations at the Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after aviation unions picketed Air Peace outlets over alleged non-remittance of the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and alleged violations of workers’ unionisation rights.

Amid the protest, a photograph circulated on social media showing an Air Peace bus parked within the airport’s restricted airside area, while a video later showed the vehicle being towed away by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The incident reportedly occurred as access to parts of the airport terminals was disrupted by the industrial action. The bus was subsequently removed to facilitate the movement of aircraft and other airport operations.

Speaking on Tuesday, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the authority would investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“It is a crime to do that and whoever does that should be arrested. We will investigate and whoever it is, there will be no sacred cow,” Achimugu said.

Air Peace spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, declined to comment immediately, saying he would get back to reporters after obtaining further information.

Efe, however, clarified that the vehicle was not parked on the runway but within the airport’s airside area.

FAAN did not respond to requests for further details on the incident.

FAAN: Airside operations restored

Earlier, FAAN said it was monitoring the impact of the industrial action and working with aviation agencies, airlines, security agencies and other stakeholders to minimise disruptions to airport operations.

The authority said operational challenges that had affected the movement of some flights within the airside environment had been addressed through inter-agency coordination.

FAAN said measures were being sustained to ensure the orderly continuation of flight operations despite the industrial action.

The authority also reaffirmed its commitment to keeping Nigeria’s airports safe, secure, functional and accessible to passengers and other airport users.