The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it will not hesitate to impose severe penalties on Turkish Airlines for its alleged mistreatment of Nigerian passengers.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on May 21, picketed Turkish Airlines in Lagos over the dismissal of some of its members.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA spokesperson, on Wednesday, said following the workers’ union’s action, passengers of Turkish Airlines have remained stranded at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, as the airline has failed to airlift them to Istanbul.
Achimugu said over 300 passengers are affected by the discord involving the Turkish Airlines and aviation unions, as the carrier has cancelled flights in and out of Nigeria from Tuesday until Thursday.
He said though the carrier claimed to have communicated with passengers through electronic mail on the ongoing hitch concerning its operations, some passengers still showed up at the Lagos airport.
The spokesperson said the NCAA is currently mediating the conflict between the European carrier and aviation unions which picketed the airline’s operations at the Lagos Airport on Tuesday.
Achimugu said the federal government and its agencies will spare no efforts to call to order any airline that infringes on the rights of Nigerian passengers.
