The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has appealed to aviation unions to suspend their ongoing industrial action and embrace dialogue pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The industrial action has disrupted flight operations, leaving passengers and other aviation stakeholders affected.
In a statement issued by the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, the NCAA urged the unions to “sheath their swords” and exercise restraint, noting that Keyamo has been actively working towards resolving the issues in dispute.
According to the NCAA, the grievances could have been addressed at a meeting convened by the Minister last week, but the meeting failed to hold after airline operators did not honour the invitation.
The Authority said it remained committed to ensuring that the ongoing industrial dispute did not compromise aviation safety.
“The NCAA assures the travelling public that flight safety remains uncompromised and that the Authority continues to exercise its statutory safety oversight responsibilities”, Najomo said.
The regulator called on all parties to return to the negotiating table, expressing confidence that the dispute would be resolved shortly and that normal flight operations would resume as soon as practicable.
The NCAA also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers, while appreciating their patience and understanding as efforts continue to resolve the impasse.