The ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency NiMet has affected flight activities as the weather workers protest against poor working conditions and remuneration.
In light of the disruption, Air Peace have suspended all flights nationwide until the strike is resolved due to safety issues.
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.
According to reports from Channels Television, Air Peace’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, had ordered for the cancellation of flights nationwide for the safety of people’s lives, their equipment and crew.
However, 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 statement, which was signed by the airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, Ejike Ndiulo, stated, “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.”
To tackle the situation, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, called for a meeting with members of the protesting NiMet unions.
The meeting is scheduled to be held today (Thursday).
NiMet workers shut down the weather centres at airports and withdrew all meteorological services nationwide on Wednesday over their welfare.
The strike officially began at 7:00 AM on Wednesday, with NiMet staff and union members walking around the airport premises holding placards and announcing the withdrawal of their services.
