Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, has announced the indefinite suspension of all its flight operations nationwide due to the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
A statement by management of the airline said the decision became necessary because the strike may negatively affect its safety standards.
“This decision comes as NiMet’s industrial action has disrupted the transmission of critical weather reports, particularly the QNH, which are essential for safe flight operations, especially during landing procedures,”the airline said.
Air Peace emphasized that pilots cannot land in any airport without receiving the QNH report from the control tower, which is generated by NiMet. Given the current season marked by frequent rainfall, thunderstorms, and unpredictable weather patterns, the airline has expressed grave concern over the risks of operating flights without these mandatory safety updates.
“As a safety-conscious airline, we cannot take the risk of proceeding with flight operations without the QNH report from NiMet, which is a non-negotiable requirement for safe landings,” the airline stated. “This is a critical period with heightened weather hazards, and the safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority.
“The suspension takes immediate effect and will remain in force until the NiMet strike is resolved and full meteorological services are restored nationwide,” the airline said.
Air Peace has urged affected passengers to remain patient and assured them that updates regarding flight rescheduling and further instructions will be communicated via official channels.
The airline also appealed directly to the striking workforce of NiMet to consider the far-reaching implications of the ongoing disruption and to engage in meaningful dialogue with the government toward an amicable resolution, in the interest of national safety and continuity in the aviation sector.
