Abiodun JIMOH
Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has announced the immediate suspension of all its flight operations across the country following a nationwide strike by staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
In a statement released on Wednesday, the airline said the industrial action has disrupted the provision of critical weather information—specifically the Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather (CNH) reports—which are essential for safe landings, particularly during the ongoing rainy season.
“We regret to inform you that due to the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Air Peace is suspending all flight operations nationwide with immediate effect,” the airline stated.
“As a safety-first airline, we cannot operate flights without the CNH reports, which are vital to ensure safe landings in conditions of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. In the absence of this data from the control tower, flight safety cannot be guaranteed.”
The airline apologized to passengers for the disruption and said it would provide updates and rescheduling options in due course.
The development comes as NiMet workers commenced industrial action on Wednesday to protest unresolved issues around remuneration and working conditions. The disruption to aviation services coincided with the inauguration of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo.
With NiMet’s critical role in aviation safety compromised, further flight disruptions across Nigeria appear imminent.
