The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, has given a two-week ultimatum to airline operators, following the sacking of workers by the Air Peace and Bristow Helicopter companies recently.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday, the NAAPE National President, Galadima Abednego, threatened industrial action by withdrawing the services of Pilots and Aircraft maintainable engineers across all the Airlines.

The union, therefore, called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to call the airliners to order over their reckless sacking of pilots and engineers under the pretense of COVID-19 pandemic.

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He said: “We call on Federal Government of Nigeria to speedily release the promised relief package for the airlines and other government agencies to further save jobs and businesses.

“We want to strongly advise that Airlines operators that insist on laying off workers should not benefit from the largesse.

“As a result of the known consequences of these illegal actions and our commitment to patriotic fervor, we shall be forced to withdraw our guarantee of industrial peace within the industry if this call is not heeded within two weeks.

“Our union will be left with no other option but to withdraw the services of pilots and aircraft maintainable engineers across the airlines

“We will no longer condone a situation where airline operators go to government for relief packages and in turn punish Nigerians in whose name government gave the relief.

“Our laws must be respected and our airspace must be save secured and stable. It is our responsibility and we are prepared to take action before it is too late.”