Turkish Airlines Operations Grounded in Lagos as Aviation Workers Protest
Story: written by Daniel March 11,2026
Operations at Turkish Airlines in Lagos were disrupted on Tuesday as members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) staged a protest at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). Hundreds of passengers scheduled to travel faced delays after union members shut down the airline’s counters at the international terminal.
The protesters carried placards and chanted slogans, accusing the airline’s Nigerian management of unfairly dismissing seven employees in 2020 for their union activities. NUATE also claimed that the affected workers have yet to receive their rightful benefits, despite court rulings in their favor.
In a circular dated March 9, 2026, and signed by NUATE General Secretary Sikiru Waheed, the union accused Turkish Airlines of violating Nigerian labour laws and ignoring the National Industrial Court (NIC) ruling.
The statement read in part: “Following the airline’s continued defiance of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Labour Act, and its refusal to implement the NIC’s ruling to pay the dismissed executive members, we are compelled to take lawful measures to ensure compliance with Nigerian laws regarding unionised workers.”
Passengers were advised to expect delays as the union maintains the protest until the airline meets the demands of the affected employees.
