Domestic airline operators in Nigeria are to embark on a n indefinite strike 9 April to protest plans by aviation authorities to ground p l anes of operators owing controversial navigational charges.
The operators resolved at their meeting Thursday to proceed on strike ”if for a ny reason NAMA (National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) grounds any airline” .
NAMA had threatened to ground the planes of airlines that are owing navigational charges.
The agency has meanwhile called the bluff of the airlines, saying their threat ‘ ‘does not hold water as the agency stands by its circular” on the payment of th e charges.
“They are owing NAMA close to 2 billion naira and this is affecting our operati ons,” said NAMA spokesman Supo Atobatele. “We spend millions of naira every si x months to calibrate our equipment. Their refusal to pay is a threat to safety.’ ‘ (150 naira=US$1)
