A strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against Turkish Airlines has left dozens of Nigerian passengers stranded for over three days. The strike, which began on Tuesday, March 20, 2025, has disrupted travel plans for passengers in both Lagos, Nigeria, and Istanbul, Turkey.
The NLC launched the strike to protest Turkish Airlines’ alleged mistreatment of its staff. The union claims the airline dismissed, forced resignations, or pressured employees to abandon their duties. Many of these employees were reportedly targeted for their union membership in 2020.
As a result of the strike, passengers flying with Turkish Airlines have been left in a difficult situation. Many travelers arriving in Lagos for connecting flights have been stranded without accommodation. Similarly, transit passengers in Istanbul are stuck, with no clear timeline for when the strike will end.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has stepped in to address the crisis. The regulatory body has called on Turkish Airlines and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), an NLC affiliate, to resolve the dispute quickly. The NCAA has expressed serious concerns about the treatment of Nigerian passengers during this ordeal.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, criticized the behavior of Turkish Airlines’ country manager during a recent meeting. Achimugu stated that the manager acted unprofessionally, shouting and banging on desks during discussions. The NCAA warned that such behavior raises concerns about how the airline treats its passengers, especially in stressful situations like this.
The NCAA has reminded Turkish Airlines of its obligations under Part 19 of the Civil Aviation Regulation. This section outlines passenger rights, including compensation for flight delays and cancellations. The regulatory body has also instructed the airline to provide accommodation for stranded passengers in Lagos and Istanbul. If the airline fails to do so, it must compensate passengers monetarily for accommodation costs.
To resolve the dispute, the NCAA has scheduled a mediation meeting between Turkish Airlines and the unions for Thursday morning. Government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and the NCAA Director, are closely monitoring the situation. They have emphasized the importance of protecting passengers’ rights and welfare.
The NCAA remains committed to impartiality and consumer protection. It has pledged to continue mediating the dispute to ensure a swift resolution and relief for the stranded passengers.
This rewritten version simplifies the language, uses shorter sentences, and maintains the original meaning while making the article more accessible to a broader audience. The headlines are designed to grab attention and summarize the key points of the story.
Related topics:
FlyPelican Launches New Direct Flights from Newcastle to Gold Coast
Cairns Airport Unveils Upgrades to International Terminal Amid Record Passenger Numbers
Top Jet Lag Solutions from 11 Travel Experts
