The Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika has warned members of aviation unions against issuing threats of strikes over conditions of service.

Mr Sirika said the challenge posed by COVID-19 demanded that all stakeholders work together to fashion out a viable pathway to a healthy aviation industry that will offer everybody, including the workers, the desired dividends.

The minister was speaking at the third national delegates’ conference of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

Represented by the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Akin Olateru, Mr Sirika said the unions should cooperate with aviation agencies.

Mr Sirika said the sector was in a recovery mode, therefore, not the time for threats of industrial actions.

“We are in a period of recovery, so this is not the time for threats and spate of industrial actions which will only further inhibit the growth the industry so badly needs.

“The pandemic hit and aviation became one of the major casualties of COVID-19, and in an industry that is known for low margins, especially the airline sector where labour is one of the largest costs, lowering labour costs is very attractive.

“IATA records show that as of 2018, air transport in Nigeria supported 241,000 jobs with a gross value added to GDP of US $1.7 billion.

“The growth forecast for the Nigeria Air Transport market was 174% in the next 20 years. If met, this would support approximately $4.7 billion of GDP and over 555,000 jobs.”

The minister said the unions had a critical role in the growth and sustenance of the aviation industry, as their members constituted the majority of the workers.

(NAN)