By Kelechi James
Nigeria’s biggest indigenous airline, Air Peace, Wednesday, suspended its operations nationwide, citing critical safety concerns amid the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) workers’ industrial strike.
The NiMET strike has led to the disruption of essential weather reporting services at airports nationwide, grounding all domestic routes until further notice.
Saying that the NiMet staff strike has undermined issuance of Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather (CNH) reports, Air Peace emphasised that, without real‐time weather data, safe takeoffs and landings cannot be guaranteed. The airline added that it would contact all affected travelers to reschedule their flights and offered alternative arrangements.
The CNH report is a critical, minute‐by‐minute update on severe weather phenomena—such as thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and low visibility—that can threaten aviation safety.
During Nigeria’s peak rainy season, frequent storms and sudden weather shifts make these reports indispensable for pilot decision‐making. It also enables crews to assess runway conditions and approach strategies, just as it allows controllers to sequence landings and manage airborne holds.
The CNH report also guides ramp crews in organising safe passenger embarkation and baggage handling under adverse conditions. Without the CNH feed from NiMet, both cockpit and control‐tower teams are effectively “flying blind,” a risk, which Air Peace’s management said is unacceptable.
The NiMet staff are protesting their unresolved negotiations on pay and working conditions. It has led to intermittent weather reporting at major airports, including Lagos (LOS) and Port Harcourt (PHC).
Announcing the suspension of operations, Air Peace said in a statement: “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.”
Air Peace serves over 40 domestic routes, connecting major hubs such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Kano. With hundreds of daily flights now grounded, the potential for travel disruptions is significant.
The airline said that affected passengers will receive automated notifications via SMS and email, offering new booking windows at no additional cost. It added that those unwilling to rebook may apply for full refunds through the Air Peace website or ticket offices.
