Turkish Airlines has appealed for calm and sustained engagement following Tuesday’s picketing of its offices in Lagos and Abuja by members of the National Association of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).
The airline made the appeal in a statement issued by its management on Wednesday in Lagos, stressing that while workers and unions are entitled to voice their grievances, disputes should be settled through constructive discussions rather than confrontational actions.
According to the airline, freedom of expression for workers and labour unions remains respected, but it urged NUATE to embrace meaningful dialogue and lawful channels to address the issues at hand instead of resorting to disruptions.
“Such actions are regrettable, given the ongoing dialogue already taking place with representatives of NUATE.
“Turkish Airlines operates in full compliance with Nigerian labour laws and the applicable regulatory framework.
“We expect all stakeholders to pursue their concerns through established legal and dialogue channels rather than such disruptive actions,” it said.
The airline further reaffirmed that the safety and security of its passengers, workforce and operations remain paramount.
“As demonstrated in the past, should operational conditions fail to meet the required safety standards, Turkish Airlines will take the necessary operational measures.
“We remain committed to continuing discussions with relevant parties to reach a responsible and constructive resolution.
“We reiterate our expectation that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure a secure and stable operating environment, otherwise, we would like to inform you that we will consider the cancellation option in our flight schedule,” it said.
The management also clarified that flights operated normally on Tuesday, noting that all passengers were successfully transported and none was left stranded.
Members of NUATE had earlier staged the picketing to protest what they described as the airline’s refusal to implement the ruling of the Industrial Arbitration Panel concerning dismissed workers.
The panel, in September 2025, had directed the airline to compensate the affected employees financially.
