Turkish Airlines responds to protests at Lagos and Abuja airports, calls for dialogue

Turkish Airlines has responded to recent protest actions targeting its operations at Lagos and Abuja airports, describing the situation as regrettable while reaffirming its commitment to ongoing discussions with aviation union representatives.

In a statement addressing the protests, the airline said it respects the right of workers and unions to express their views but noted that dialogue with representatives of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) is already underway.

“While we respect the right of workers and unions to express their views, such actions are regrettable given the ongoing dialogue already taking place with representatives of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).”

The airline maintained that its operations in Nigeria comply fully with the country’s labour laws and regulatory requirements, urging stakeholders to resolve concerns through established legal and negotiation channels.

“Turkish Airlines operates in full compliance with Nigerian labour laws and the applicable regulatory framework. We expect all stakeholders to pursue their concerns through established legal and dialogue channels rather than such disruptive actions.”

The airline also stressed that the safety and security of passengers, staff and flight operations remain its highest priority.

“The safety and security of our passengers, employees and operations remain our top priority. As demonstrated in the past, should operational conditions fail to meet the required safety standards, Turkish Airlines will take the necessary operational measures. We remain committed to continuing discussions with relevant parties to reach a responsible and constructive resolution, 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.”

The airline said it remains open to constructive engagement with all relevant parties as efforts continue to resolve the issues surrounding the protests.