Air Peace has suspended all its flight operations across the country following an ongoing strike by employees of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
In a statement released on Wednesday, the airline announced “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.
“This decision is necessary because NiMet is the agency responsible for issuing CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, which are critical for safe landings, especially during this season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Without these reports from the control tower, flight safety cannot be guaranteed.”
The airline emphasized that safety remains its top priority, saying “As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service.”
“We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologize. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling.”
NiMet workers began an indefinite strike over unresolved issues concerning their conditions of service.
The action has already disrupted flight schedules, with many flights being diverted due to the unavailability of destination weather reports.
The strike is being led by three major aviation unions: the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).
In a circular addressed to their members, the unions explained their reasons for resuming the suspended strike “In the light of management’s inability to address our given concerns and being that we can no longer continue to cope with present hardships and especially as the ultimatum given to the management has expired, we have no choice than to resume the suspended strike.
Accordingly, all staff of Nimet nationwide are hereby directed to withdraw all service from the agency indefinitely with effect from midnight of Tuesday, April 22, 2025 without exception until otherwise directed.”
The unions lamented what they described as “exceedingly unjust remunerations conundrum” and accused the agency’s management of reneging on agreements signed as far back as January 29, 2025.
The fallout of the strike is already impacting flight safety.
DAILY GAZETTE gathered that with the strike in full effect, NiMet can no longer provide vital aviation data such as Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), meteorological trend forecasts, or climate information from its 56 synoptic stations nationwide.
These services are essential for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
A source familiar with the situation revealed:
“As of this morning, Nimet is in total lock down and no cease fire in the pipe line.”
“Air Traffic Controllers and other aviation unions would join the strike in solidarity. All other 56 synoptic offices, Agro stations, Marine stations and Aeronautic stations have been shut down.”
