Air Peace Grounds Flights Nationwide Amid NiMET Strike

Flight operations at local airports have been disrupted due to a strike by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) workers protesting poor working conditions. Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s prominent airlines, has canceled its flights nationwide, citing safety concerns.

The strike, which has lingered into day 2, sees passengers on scheduled local flights stranded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,  Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and others.

In a video obtained by Channels Television, Air Peace’s CEO, Allen Onyema, was heard instructing one of his managers to cancel all flights, stating, “If NiMET has not called off the strike, cancel every Air Peace flight now with immediate effect. People’s lives and the safety of our equipment and our crew are foremost.

“I don’t care if other airlines are flying. Suspend every Air Peace flight nationwide. Look at the thunderstorm everywhere. Look at the kind of weather we are going into, and NiMET, which is supposed to provide these things, is on strike, and we are flying. Suspend all flights with immediate effect  until that strike is over, safety first.”

Air Peace passengers were informed that the airline had made the decision not to fly due to safety issues.

Reports said that at the Lagos airport, XEJET, Aero Contractors, and Ibom Air operated as scheduled on Wednesday, while Air Peace did not.

In a statement posted on its X handle, Air Peace stated that following the strike by NiMet staff, it had to suspend its operations.

The airline confirmed the suspension of its operations in a statement, signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, Ejike Ndiulu, saying, “Due to the ongoing NiMet strike and the unavailability of CNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings, Air Peace has suspended all flight operations nationwide until the strike is over. Your safety is our top priority, we appreciate your understanding and will share updates as the situation unfolds.”

NiMET workers began their strike on Wednesday, shutting down weather centers at airports and withdrawing meteorological services nationwide. The workers are demanding improved welfare packages, citing disparities with their counterparts in sister agencies.

“We provide more sensitive services than even our sister agency, but our welfare package is so poor that it cannot cover transportation, rent, or even our children’s school fees,” said Mr. John, a member of the union.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has scheduled a meeting with the protesting NiMet unions for Thursday, aiming to resolve the crisis. NiMET management remains committed to finding an amicable solution, hoping the unions will listen to reason.

CHANNELS