AIR Peace has suspended all its flight operations nationwide following the strike embarked upon by workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

The airline announced this in a statement on Wednesday, April 23 signed by its head of corporate communications, Ejike Ndiulo.

He said the suspension would subsist till the strike is over.

“Due to the ongoing NiMet strike and the unavailability of QNH (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.” Ndiulo said.

Air Peace had earlier on Wednesday stated that the NiMet strike action could disrupt its flight operations.

The ICIR reports that the staff of NiMet have Wednesday morning embarked on an indefinite strike, with the workers seen picketing around airport facilities.

The workers are demanding improved welfare packages and equitable treatment, urging the government to review their conditions of service to enable them to perform their duties effectively.

The strike is backed by three industry unions – the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).

The union had said in addition to its staff welfare, the non-implementation of the agreements between the management and workers signed on January 29, 2025, to improve the conditions of service had been breached.

It said in light of the management’s inability to address its concerns, as the ultimatum given has expired, it had no choice but to begin the strike.

Accordingly, all staff of Nimet nationwide were then directed to withdraw their services from the agency indefinitely with effect from midnight of Tuesday, April 22, without exception until otherwise directed.

On Wednesday, however, Air Peace suspended all its flight operations on the decision that NiMet’s role in issuing  Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather (CNH) reports is 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.

In a phone conversation, supposedly with a member of his staff, shared on an Instagram handle, the chief executive officer, Allen Onyema, directed the immediate suspension of the Air Peace flight operations.

He said people’s lives and the safety of the airline equipment and crew should first be prioritised.

According to Onyema, he does not care whether other airlines are flying but directed that his airline stop flying at the moment.

Asserting that thumtherstom is everywhere, he wondered that with this kind of weather and NiMet on strike, who would provide safety direction to airlines flying?

“Suspend Air Peace flight until that strike is over. If people want to collect their money, let them collect their money. I don’t want to have blood on my hands,” Onyema maintained.

The airline’s decision to halt operations is causing confusion, as angry customers who have booked flights to different destinations on the service are considering various options, including litigation or demand for a refund.