Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest domestic airline, has suspended all flight operations across the country due to the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET). The decision was announced on Wednesday by the airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, in a statement released in Lagos.
According to the statement, the suspension became necessary following the indefinite industrial action embarked upon by NiMET staff, which began on Tuesday. The agency is responsible for providing critical weather updates necessary for safe flight operations, especially during the rainy season when hazardous weather conditions are more frequent.
Dr. Ndiulo explained that the absence of real-time weather reports — officially known as CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) — poses a serious risk to flight safety. These reports are typically issued from control towers and are essential for pilots to make informed decisions, particularly during takeoff and landing when weather conditions can change rapidly.
“As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service,” Ndiulo stated. “We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling.”
The airline emphasized that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution and a deep commitment to passenger safety. “Without these reports, the safety of flights cannot be guaranteed, and we will not compromise on that,” Ndiulo added.
The strike by NiMET staff began on April 22, 2025. The workers, under the umbrella of their union, are protesting over what they describe as poor conditions of service, delays in salary adjustments, lack of promotion, and other welfare-related issues.
NiMET, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Aviation, plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s airspace management. It provides weather forecasts, aviation meteorological services, and other climate data necessary for safe air travel. Without the agency’s input, many aspects of aviation — including takeoff clearance, en-route monitoring, and landing guidance — are hampered.
In the past, temporary disruptions in NiMET services have affected airline schedules, but this is the first time in recent years that a full suspension of operations by a major airline like Air Peace has occurred due to such a strike.
The immediate suspension of flights has left many travelers stranded at airports across the country, especially at major hubs like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Enugu. Passengers expressed frustration, though many acknowledged the importance of safety.
“I had a meeting in Abuja this afternoon, and now I have to reschedule everything,” said Olumide Ajayi, a business traveler at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. “It’s disappointing, but I understand they can’t fly blind. Safety comes first.”
Some passengers have taken to social media to share their experiences and vent their concerns. Air Peace has assured affected passengers that they will be contacted via email and SMS with options to reschedule flights at no extra cost or receive refunds.
Aviation experts and stakeholders have weighed in on the situation, with many supporting Air Peace’s decision to prioritize safety.
Captain Musa Ibrahim, a retired pilot and aviation consultant, said, “It was the right call. You can’t operate in uncertain weather conditions without accurate and timely reports from NiMET. This is a wake-up call for the government to take the welfare of aviation workers seriously.”
Others, however, have called for urgent dialogue between the federal government and the striking NiMET workers to resolve the dispute before the aviation sector suffers further damage.
“It’s not just about Air Peace,” said a senior official of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), who asked not to be named. “This affects the entire aviation industry. If other airlines follow suit, we could see a near-total shutdown of domestic flights.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Ministry of Aviation had not issued an official response to the strike or the decision by Air Peace to halt operations. Efforts to reach ministry officials for comment were unsuccessful.
However, insiders say talks may be underway to address the grievances of the NiMET workers and restore normalcy to flight operations. The strike adds to the growing list of industrial actions affecting key sectors in Nigeria, from education to healthcare and now aviation.
NiMET, established in 2003, is tasked with advising the federal government and the general public on all aspects of weather and climate. Its services are especially vital in the aviation industry, where accurate weather forecasts are not just a convenience but a necessity.
In Nigeria, where the rainy season is marked by sudden downpours, thunderstorms, and heavy winds, the role of meteorological services becomes even more critical. Pilots rely on these forecasts to plan flight paths, avoid dangerous weather systems, and ensure smooth landings and takeoffs.
NiMET operates a network of observation stations and uses advanced radar systems and satellite data to provide forecasts. The current strike, therefore, means that these vital updates are not being communicated to pilots and airline operators — hence the decision by Air Peace to suspend flights.
While Air Peace has not given a definite date for the resumption of flight services, the airline has indicated it will restart operations as soon as NiMET resumes full services. For now, passengers are advised to remain in contact with the airline and monitor official communication channels for updates.
The development underscores the fragile state of Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure and the urgent need for better labor-management relations within key agencies.
As negotiations between the government and NiMET workers continue, the hope is that a resolution will be reached swiftly — before more airlines are forced to follow Air Peace’s lead and halt operations for safety reasons.
