Flight Operations Halted At Enugu Airport As Aviation Workers Protest Concession Plan
✍️ By Teju/ February 6, 2026/ 1:48pm
Flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, were disrupted on Friday following an industrial action by aviation workers protesting the Federal Government’s concessioning of the airport.
The protest, which began early in the day, led to a complete shutdown of flight activities at the airport as workers expressed concerns over the concession process and its potential impact on their welfare. Passengers were reportedly asked to vacate the terminal building, leaving many stranded and uncertain about their travel plans.
The aggrieved workers accused authorities of failing to provide clarity on the future of existing staff, alleging that the airport had been concessioned to a South-East governor and a prominent businessman from Anambra State without any concrete assurances regarding job security. They maintained that while officials indicated that full concessioning would take effect in about two years, no provisions had been communicated concerning staff retention, compensation, or transition plans.
Aviation workers also claimed that repeated efforts by labour unions to engage government officials and the alleged concessionaires had not yielded any meaningful commitments. According to them, attempts to seek clarity on workers’ welfare and employment status were met with silence, further deepening fears and dissatisfaction among airport staff.
The protest escalated after workers reportedly received a directive from the national leadership of aviation unions instructing them to halt flight operations as a means of pressing their demands. In compliance with the directive, all services at the airport were suspended.
The development adds to growing concerns over airport concessioning across the country, with labour unions insisting that transparency and workers’ welfare must be prioritised in any privatisation or concession arrangement.
As of the time of filing this report, flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport remained grounded, with no official statement yet addressing the workers’ demands or indicating when normal services would resume.
