Air Peace has announced the suspension of all flight operations nationwide following the strike action embarked upon by workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
“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.
“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,” the airline said in a statement.
Aviation unions had declared an indefinite strike in the agency over issues of conditions of service and already many flights are being diverted over the failure of the striking workers to provide destination weather.
The strike is backed by three industry unions including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).
The unions in a circular to their members stated that they had made efforts to alleviate the “exceedingly unjust renumerations conundrum” with no substantial result, saying the staff had been plunged into poverty.
The unions also lamented that the agreements between the management and workers signed since January 29, 2025 to improve the conditions of service had been breached.
The circular added: “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.”
Following the strike commencement, Nimet would be unable to provide Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), meteorological trend forecast, meteorological and climate information data collected across 56 synoptic stations and meteorological information not disseminated according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard and recommended practices, among others.
It was learnt that as of this morning no weather briefing is being given to flights, with the development threatening safe flight operations.
“As of this morning, Nimet is in total lock down and no ceasefire in the pipeline. 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,” a source said.
