Passengers stranded nationwide as NiMet strike grounds Air Peace flights
Air Peace Airlines has announced the suspension of all flight operations across Nigeria in response to a strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), leading to major disruptions at airports nationwide. The strike, which commenced on April 22, 2025, has left thousands of passengers stranded, with many expressing frustration over the lack of communication from the airline.
In an official statement, Air Peace explained that the suspension was due to the halt in NiMet’s provision of the Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather (CNH) reports. These reports are critical for ensuring safe landings, particularly during the current season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
“As a responsible airline committed to passenger safety, we have made the decision to suspend our operations until NiMet resumes its full services,” the airline’s statement read. Passengers were reassured that they would be contacted with options for rescheduling and updates on the situation.
However, many travellers criticised the airline’s handling of the situation, particularly its failure to notify passengers in advance. One passenger, who was scheduled to fly to Lagos at 12:10 p.m., said that while he understood the strike, he was baffled by the lack of prior notification.
“What made it worse was that planes from other airlines were still operating, while Air Peace was grounded,” the passenger explained.
He further shared that when he sought an explanation, he was told that other airlines had received weather signals from the Air Force Base, while Air Peace pilots, who are foreigners, did not depend on those signals.
“Eventually, Air Peace cancelled our flights around 12:30 p.m., and now the airport is packed,” he added.
The effects of the strike have been felt across multiple airports, including Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where NiMet staff staged a protest on Wednesday.
The demonstration was driven by a range of issues, including the non-implementation of the new minimum wage, unpaid allowances, and a lack of investment in staff training.
The protest has resulted in significant flight delays and cancellations, as NiMet plays a key role in providing weather information to pilots. A source at the airport, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that while some flights continued, many others were grounded due to the disruption.
“Even though some flights are still going ahead, the protest has led to cancellations and delays,” the source stated.
Timoty Meshelia, the Northwest Zonal Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), confirmed that the protest had seriously affected flight operations.
Meshelia explained that the workers were demanding the implementation of agreements made over the minimum wage and allowances, as well as improvements in training programmes.
Meanwhile, at Port Harcourt International Airport, passengers were left scrambling after they were not informed about the flight suspensions until they had already arrived at the airport.
This lack of communication caused frustration among passengers, with some even witnessing other airlines’ flights departing without incident. In one particularly heated exchange, a passenger, upset by Air Peace’s failure to notify her about the situation, reportedly smashed a window at the airline’s office. When security attempted to detain her, other passengers intervened, protesting the handling of the situation.
As the strike continues, both passengers and airlines are struggling to adapt to the uncertainty surrounding flight schedules. Air Peace has not yet provided a timeline for when it will resume operations, leaving many passengers in limbo. The ongoing disruption has raised concerns over the potential for further delays and cancellations, with many passengers uncertain when air travel will return to normal.
