Passengers stranded as Aero Airlines workers embark on strike (The Nation)

Hundreds of passengers were on Wednesday stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos as the Aero Airlines  workers embarked on strike.

Some of the passengers are contemplating taking legal action against Aero Airlines for making them miss their flights without any notice .

They described the action by the airline as grossly unpatriotic, even as they alleged that the airline only notified them  that the flights were rescheduled to a later time.

As early as 5.00 am, some passengers that arrived the MMA 2, Ikeja, Lagos were disappointed that the airline was not operating any flight, yet did not give any notice of the industrial action embarked on by the staff.

Some of the passengers that besieged the head office of the airline, expressed disenchantment over the  attitude of Aero Airlines staff, who did not inform  them of the development, forcing them to miss very important business appointments.

At the new domestic terminal, scores of passengers sat on the floor , in apparent frustration of how to get to their destination, even as they expressed sadness over failure by the airline to effect refund of their air fare to enable them fly other airlines.

In the early hours of yesterday in Lagos, the counters of the airline were empty as as passengers waited to get explanation from the airline personnel on when flights will be available.

They  berated the airline for its failure to carry passengers along , forcing most of them to be stranded at the airport.

According to one of the passengers who identified herself as Dr Caro Iwuoha , the passengers will institute a class action against the airline for the breach of passengers’ rights , which she said is unacceptable in other parts of the world.

Another passenger, who identified himself as Ibezito Ogbona, said the dislocation occasioned by the workers strike has altered his travel plans, forcing him to fly through Abuja, if he could readily get another flight to Sokoto.

Also speaking, another passenger a catholic priest, who declined to give his name, said it was wrong for the airline to threat it’s passengers shabbily affirming that the only information , he was given about the development, was the announcement from the public address system at MM A 2, Ikeja, Lagos.

To checkmate any break down of law and order, scores of armed policemen from the Airport Police Command, were on hand to provide security, as they mounted a barricade at the entrance into Aero Airlines, at the domestic wing of the Lagos Airport.

Meanwhile, Aero Airlines has apologised in a statement. :” Management wishes to apologise for the inconvenience suffered by our highly esteemed customers due to an abrupt industrial action by our staff which has led to grounding of all our scheduled operations.

“We are engaging with the Unions to find a quick and amicable resolution. Further details will be given in due course. Thank you for your understanding.”

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