Turkish Airlines has warned it may cancel all flights to and from Nigeria if disruptions continue, following picketing of its offices at Lagos and Abuja airports by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) on Tuesday.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the airline expressed regret over the action by NUATE officials, noting that it occurred despite ongoing dialogue between the parties.
Turkish Airlines firmly denied accusations of flagrantly violating Nigerian labour laws in its dealings with local staff, insisting it operates in full compliance with both labour regulations and the broader regulatory framework in the country.
The carrier emphasised that the safety and security of passengers, employees, and operations remain its highest priority.“We remain committed to continuing discussions with relevant parties to reach a responsible and constructive resolution,” the statement read.
“While reiterating our expectation that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure a secure and stable operating environment, otherwise, we would like to inform you that we will consider the cancellation option in our flight schedule.
“We expect all stakeholders to pursue their concerns through established legal and dialogue channels, rather than such disruptive actions.
"As demonstrated in the past, should operational conditions fail to meet the required safety standards, Turkish Airlines will take the necessary operational measures.”
The protest stemmed from NUATE's grievances over the dismissal of seven staff members, whom the union claims were sacked for union activities.
Union members stormed the terminals with placards, disrupting operations and preventing the boarding of approximately 300 passengers at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport alone.
NUATE accused Turkish Airlines of repeatedly breaching labour laws, including an alleged 2020 dismissal of union members whose terminal benefits remain unpaid six years later.
The union further claimed the airline has defied a court order for the immediate reinstatement of the affected workers and vowed to sustain protests until justice is served.
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