Air Peace Halts All Flights Over NiMet Strike, Citing Safety Risks
BY CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO
Air Peace has suspended all its flight operations across Nigeria following an indefinite strike by workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which has halted the issuance of crucial weather reports required for safe flight operations.
The airline, in a statement issued Wednesday evening, said it had no choice but to ground operations with immediate effect due to the unavailability of CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports from NiMet, especially during a season marked by heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
“As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service,” the airline said, noting that the absence of timely weather updates made flight safety uncertain. It also apologised for the inconvenience and assured passengers that updates and rescheduling options would follow.
READ ALSO: Samson Siasia to Lead Jogging, Walk Initiative at SYDA Lounge MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja
NiMet staff began their nationwide strike earlier in the day, withdrawing all meteorological services in protest over poor welfare conditions. Workers were seen at airport premises holding placards, with reports that some even stayed overnight at agency offices to enforce the shutdown.
One NiMet employee decried the disparity in pay between the agency and a sister organisation, claiming some management staff earn less than half of what counterparts in similar roles receive elsewhere, despite providing more sensitive services.
The strike has now triggered wider implications for aviation safety and travel schedules, with Air Peace being the first major airline to announce a full suspension of services.
