Air Traffic Controllers’ Strike Leaves Passengers Stranded At Airports

The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association on Tuesday embarked on a two days warning strike.

The development left
thousands of passengers stranded at the airports nationwide.

The Industrial action affected many airlines, leaving passengers stranded at departure halls in airports across the country.

The strike was confirmed in a statement released by NATCA on Tuesday.

The statement reads, “It will be recalled that an Air Traffic Controller, Anniekan Effiong slumped and died early hours on Monday while on duty at Abuja tower. This informed an emergency meeting of the executive council of NATCA yesterday (Monday).

“The Executive Council of our noble profession met yesterday (Monday) and discussed extensively the state of ATC operations vis-a-vis our collective survival within the system.”

“Commencing from 6am Nigerian time today, 23rd November 2021, all ATC units nationwide should operate flow control. All departures should be spaced at 20 minutes intervals. All international flights are exempted.

“All ATCOs should endeavour to be on high alert and should there be a need to escalate this exercise beyond flow control, we are ready to further such actions. This exercise will be for two days and will be strictly executed at the four major airports with strict coordination from adjacent aerodromes before any startup is issued.”