By Oso Abidemi
Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline, has suspended all flight operations across the country with immediate effect, citing safety concerns triggered by a strike action embarked upon by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
In a statement released on Wednesday, the airline said the decision was made to protect passengers amid the ongoing industrial action that has halted the issuance of critical weather reports used for safe aircraft landings during Nigeria’s heavy rainy season.
“We regret to inform you that due to the ongoing strike by NiMet, Air Peace is suspending all flight operations nationwide with immediate effect,” the statement read.
“NiMet is the agency responsible for issuing CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, which are vital for safe landings in adverse weather.
Without these reports from the control tower, flight safety cannot be guaranteed.”
Describing itself as a safety-first airline, Air Peace emphasised that halting operations was a responsible move until NiMet resumes full service.
The airline apologised for the inconvenience and assured affected passengers that updates and rescheduling options would be provided.
Meanwhile, report has it that a wider shutdown of flight operations in Nigeria is looming as aviation activities continue to feel the ripple effects of NiMet’s strike, which stems from prolonged wage disputes.
The development occurred on the same day the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, commissioned the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna.
