BUSINESS activities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport were paralysed, on Wednesday, with many passengers stranded when workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) protested the handing over of the control of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the local airport to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), a private company.
The workers, numbering over 500 and led by the aviation union bodies, had gathered at the GAT as early as 7.00 a.m. with placards stating their opposition to the takeover of the local terminal.
The inability of most of the airlines to operate their normal operations caused apprehension among passengers who spent several hours at the airport waiting to catch their flights.
At the GAT, relatives who came to see off or receive their loved ones were seen sleeping in their vehicles or hanging around.
Earlier in the morning, the workers had protested round the local wing of the airport leading to several hours of traffic jam.
The workers vowed to resist a recurrence of the defunct Nigeria Airways saga, which they claimed was liquidated on the premises of illegality.
The workers attributed the few flights that operated earlier to their decision to await the outcome of the meeting 17 of their representatives were holding with the National Security Adviser, General Sarki Mukhtar, in Abuja.
General Mukhtar was said to have invited the unions’ representatives to Abuja for a meeting on behalf of President Umaru Yar’Adua on how to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, the aviation unions have agreed to stay action pending the return of President Umaru Yar’Adua from Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The development is coming just as Bi-Courtney has also been asked to stay action on the takeover of the controversial GAT of the Lagos Airport.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the meetings the unions held with the National Security Adviser, Mukhtar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Senator Adamu Aliero, in Abuja on Monday.
Bi-Courtney, had earlier in a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), said it was not true that most of the workers would be laid off, following the handover to it.
Bi-Courtney, in the statement, said: “The handover of GAT to BASL will not, in any way, result in job losses or disrupt smooth terminal and flight operations for scheduled domestic activities. The concerns of various unions and other industry stakeholders are being addressed by Bi-Courtney in consultation with relevant bodies. Bi-Courtney appreciates the services of all workers at GAT and looks forward to working along with them for an effective, viable and vibrant industry.”