Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, has announced the immediate suspension of all flight operations across the country due to the ongoing industrial action by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, the carrier said the decision was driven by safety considerations following the withdrawal of critical weather information services provided by NiMet.

NiMet, which is responsible for issuing the Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather (CNH) reports, plays a vital role in flight safety—particularly during the current season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The absence of these reports, the airline noted, makes it unsafe to continue operations.

“As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service,” the statement read. “We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologize. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling.”

The strike by NiMet staff has affected weather forecasting and advisory services that are essential for aircraft landings and navigation. Industry sources say the disruption poses a significant risk to both passengers and crew, especially during inclement weather conditions.

Efforts are underway to resolve the impasse. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has scheduled a meeting with all stakeholders for Thursday, April 24, 2025. The NiMet management expressed optimism that the unions would return to the negotiating table.