Flights at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria were disrupted on Monday as employees of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) went on strike demanding salary increases. Passengers were stranded and frustrated as they moved around the airport.
Some passengers even protested the situation.
As a result, Qatar Airways had to return to Doha and other airlines were unable to complete their flights due to the lack of handlers. An affected passenger and aviation expert, Alex Nwuba, said that NAHCO staff walked out of the airport early on Monday morning, stating that they were on strike and would not handle any passengers. He also said that passengers were frustrated as they were kept outside the airport and no information or announcements were made to them.
NAHCO provides check-in, boarding and ramp services for several international airlines, including Air France/KLM, Qatar, Ethiopian Airlines, Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Turkish Air.
Travelers have warned that if the situation is not resolved soon, more flights will be grounded.
A source from NAHCO stated that management met with the staff on Sunday and assured them that the situation will be resolved soon.