Travel/Tourism
Nigeria Airways Pensioners: Unions Threaten to Frustrate Nigeria Air
The National Executive Council of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has threatened to shut down activities at airports across the country, if the Federal Government fails to settle all labour issues including payment of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited workers’ severance package before going ahead with the planned establishment of Nigeria Air.
Similarly, the National Union of Air Transport Employees says there will be no national carrier unless the entitlements of the ex-workers of the defunct airline were paid.
ATSSSAN, in a communiqué issued on Monday, following a meeting of its National Executive Council, stated that over 960 Nigeria Airways workers had died in very avoidable health conditions while waiting for their entitlements.
The communiqué, which was signed by the National President, Ahmadu Ilitrus, and Deputy General Secretary, Frances Akinjole, read in part, “NEC-in-session laments the failure of the Federal Government to settle the outstanding entitlements of ex-workers of Nigeria Airways several years after the airline was liquidated.
“NEC appreciates the selfless efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, who finally gave approval for the payment of N45bn towards the settlement of the entitlements sometimes last year, yet condemns the non-payment as of date, and has resolved that the issue of payment of the severance benefits of ex-Nigeria Airways workers must be resolved immediately in order to forestall brewing labour issues that could affect, in the negative, the prospects of the recently unveiled Nigeria Air by the Federal Government.”
The association warned that if the Federal Government failed to pay the workers their entitlements, it would not guarantee any place for the new airline in the industry.
The General Secretary, NUATE, Olayinka Abioye, told our correspondent that there would be no national carrier if former Nigeria Airways workers’ entitlements were not paid.
“The three unions, NUATE, ATSSSAN and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, are working together to ensure this money is paid to the ex-NAL workers. Three weeks ago, we sent a letter to President Buhari, urging him to look at the issue again because there have been some misconceptions arising from the initial approval given more than one year ago for the payment. As it is, we do not know what is happening but we know there cannot be a national carrier except the money is paid,” he said.
ATSSSAN also threatened to shut down activities at airports across the country, if the Federal Government failed to settle all labour issues before going ahead with the planned concession of airports.
It added that the concession of four airports – the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, Port Harcourt Airport and Aminu Kano Airport, Kano – operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria would cripple the agency as they were major revenue earners.
It stated, “The ATSSSAN NEC fears that if the government succeeds with the concession of the airports, the entire operations of FAAN will collapse, as all other airports operated by FAAN are maintained or supplemented with revenue generated from the four referenced airports.
“FAAN has huge pension liabilities and will not be able to settle its pension obligations to retirees; safety at our airports will be compromised; and salaries of the over 6,900 members of staff scattered around the 22 airports presently managed by FAAN would be compromised.”
The association said the concession would also lead to high airports charges in the affected airports which would affect airlines, and by direct implication, result in high air ticket prices.
It advised the Federal Government to look at other successful models of managing airports such as those that had been done in South Africa, Egypt, Namibia, Ghana and other civil aviation jurisdictions around the world.
“The NEC, therefore, mandated the leadership of ATSSSAN to keep vigil and that perhaps the government insists on the concession of the airports as planned, ATSSSAN must insist that all labour issues including workers’ entitlements and pension rights are settled by the government; failing which ATSSSAN shall not guarantee industry peace at our airports,” it added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Emirates passengers travelling to or through Dubai will enjoy some exclusive offers, including complimentary stays at the iconic JW Marriott Marquis and hundreds of discounts through the popular My Emirates Pass, the airline operator has said.
In a statement, the company stated that from June 22 to July 12, 2026, travellers who purchase an Emirates return ticket in First Class or Business Class are invited to enjoy a two-night stay, while customers booked in Premium Economy Class or Economy Class can enjoy a complimentary one-night stay.
It was disclosed that this special offer is valid for all return tickets to or stopping over in Dubai for more than 24 hours, for customers travelling between June 25 and September 30, 2026.
In addition, passengers can enjoy over 600 offers available in the popular My Emirates Pass, which provides access to spas, restaurants, big-name retailers and much more by simply showing either a physical or digital boarding pass along with a valid ID at participating venues to enjoy the benefits.
These exclusive offers are being offered by Emirates through its Dubai Summer Surprises, which enters its 28th year in 2026.
Further, from July 2 to August 30, residents and visitors can expect an extraordinary live Beat the Heat DXB concert series, cultural events and an array of wellness and fitness activities, as well as big savings and exclusive, limited-time experiences in the city’s malls and lifestyle destinations.
“Whether visitors are seeking relaxation, adventure, entertainment, or a combination of all three, Dubai is the ideal start to any summer vacation.
“We’re inviting passengers to enjoy even more of the city with a complimentary hotel stay to take advantage of the exceptional range of shopping, entertainment, dining and family-friendly experiences that define the Dubai summer experience, when stopping over as part of your journey or visiting Dubai as your final destination,” the Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, Mr Adnan Kazim, said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The popular Jabi Lake waterfront in Abuja is set to become a major leisure and tourism hub in the country, thanks to Akida Hills, which is making efforts to enable visitors to enjoy the transformation from December 2026.
The Nigerian mixed-use real estate and destination development company has been allocated a 3.36-hectare development site within the approximately 14-hectare waterfront district, where it will deliver a phased mix of recreational, entertainment, and public leisure experiences.
According to the deal, the first phase of the development will introduce the destination’s first operational attractions, including dining and leisure experiences, water-based activities, structured weekly programming, a seasonal lights festival, and the dancing musical fountain as its signature attraction.
Additional experiences and amenities will be introduced in subsequent phases as the destination evolves.
Designed as a central landmark within the waterfront experience, the dancing musical fountain will combine choreographed water displays, synchronised lighting, and music to create a distinctive evening attraction and focal point for visitor engagement.
Upon completion, the development is expected to serve as a major hub for tourism, recreation, entertainment, and community engagement, further strengthening Abuja’s position as a leading leisure and lifestyle destination.
Construction and implementation activities will progress in phases, with additional announcements on attractions, programming, and commercial partnerships expected ahead of the December 2026 launch.
“Jabi Lake represents one of the most significant opportunities to create a world-class waterfront destination in Africa.
“Through this development, we aim to deliver experiences that attract residents, visitors, and tourists year-round while contributing to economic growth, job creation, and Nigeria’s tourism appeal.
“Our vision is to establish Jabi as a defining waterfront destination for the continent – one that demonstrates the transformative power of destination-led development and reimagines how people experience a city,” the founder of Akida Hills, Mr Kayode Bamisile, said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is considering extending the deadline for its airport taxi upgrade policy to October, following concerns raised by the Nigeria Union of Private Cab Operators.
The development was disclosed on Monday in Lagos by Mr Henry Agbebire, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, saying that the possible extension followed complaints and concerns from airport cab operators, even as the authority maintained that the policy was designed to improve service standards across Nigerian airports.
“The policy aligns with international best practices and seeks to elevate service quality,” Mr Agbebire said.
He added that passengers deserved “clean, safe, comfortable and professionally maintained vehicles” within airport transport systems.
The FAAN spokesman dismissed claims that the authority had failed to engage operators on the policy, insisting that consultations had been ongoing.
He said FAAN maintained regular discussions with licensed transport providers operating within airport premises, stressing that engagement was conducted directly with corporate entities rather than unions or associations.
“Engagements on operational matters are conducted directly with affected corporate entities,” he said.
Mr Agbebire explained that discussions on the upgrade requirement began in July 2024, giving operators time to comply.
He noted that the original compliance deadline had already been extended twice—from January 2026 to June 2026—citing economic realities and the need to give operators adequate preparation time.
According to him, the policy was not intended to punish operators or restrict their participation in airport transport services.
“Operators have been afforded ample opportunity to prepare for compliance,” he stated.
However, he warned that further extensions beyond the proposed October deadline may not be granted.
Mr Agbebire acknowledged the role of airport cab operators in passenger movement, urging them to support the initiative aimed at improving service delivery.
He added that FAAN remains committed to passenger-focused reforms across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
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