Enugu Air, the state-backed airline, has confirmed that normalcy has returned at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu following a protest by workers over the Federal government’s airport concession.
Enugu Air informed its customers that the issue has been resolved; however, morning flights will be delayed due to the process.
” We would like to inform you that normalcy has returned at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. However, please be aware that our morning flights were affected due to the protests, and you may experience rescheduling as a result,” Enugu Air shared on X.
The Akanu Ibiam Airport is currently experiencing a surge in traffic following the four-day Southeast Vision 2050 Stakeholders’ forum held at the International Conference Centre in Enugu. The presence of important dignitaries in Enugu for the event may have prompted the workers’ protest at the airport.
FG’s Concession of Enugu Airport to Private Players
The protests at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu were triggered by the Federal Government’s decision to concession the airport to a private consortium called Aero Alliance Limited. The government describes this as a necessary deal to modernise the airport, but Union workers dispute this, citing personal reasons.
Earlier in the year, the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, signed the formal 30-year concession agreement, ceding the airport to private players. However, labour unions like NUATE, ATSSSAN, and ANAP allege they were completely sidelined during the final negotiations. They claim there was no public competitive tender or transparent bidding process that led to the selection of Aero Alliance.
Union Raise Labour Protection Concerns
Labour protection remains the main bone of contention in the spat between the Aviation leaders and their workers. Minister Keyamo has repeatedly assured workers that no job will be lost and that all FAAN staff remain federal employees.
Unions argue that these are political promises with no legal backing. They rejected the deal because the main contract was signed without a secondary, legally binding document that guarantees their pensions, welfare, and job security once the private manager takes full control.
Other areas of concern from the union’s perspective include the opacity around the identity of the key beneficiary of the deal. Aero Alliance Limited is a private entity with little information on its board and stakeholders.
Several reports alleged that the airport was handed over to a prominent southeast governor and a billionaire businessman from Anambra state. This adds to the fears of union workers, who say that political favouritism over technical expertise could cost them their jobs.
Enugu Air was commissioned last year under the leadership of Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah, starting operations with three Boeing jets maintained by Xejets Limited.
