BREAKING: Air Peace Suspends All Flights Across Nigeria – Full Details Inside

Air Peace Suspends Nationwide Operations Amid NiMet Strike, Citing Critical Safety Concerns

In a decisive move to uphold passenger safety standards, Air Peace – Nigeria’s largest indigenous airline – announced the immediate suspension of all its flights across the country. The halt, effective Wednesday, April 23, 2025, comes in response to an ongoing industrial action by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which has led to the disruption of essential weather reporting services at airports nationwide.

Key Highlights

• Total Suspension of Flights: All domestic routes grounded until further notice.
• Primary Cause: Strike by NiMet staff undermining issuance of Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather (CNH) reports.
• Safety First: Air Peace emphasizes that, without real‐time weather data, safe takeoffs and landings cannot be guaranteed.
• Passenger Advisory: Affected travelers will be contacted to reschedule and offered alternative arrangements.

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Why CNH Reports Matter

The CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) 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:

1. Pilot Decision‐Making: Enabling crews to assess runway conditions and approach strategies.
2. Air Traffic Control Coordination: Allowing controllers to sequence landings and manage airborne holds.
3. Ground Operations: Guiding ramp crews in 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 Air Peace’s management deemed unacceptable.

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Timeline of Events

The Airline’s Official Statement

In a press release circulated on Wednesday evening, Air Peace management stated:

“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.”

Passenger Impact and Airline Response

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.

• Ticket Rescheduling: Affected passengers will receive automated notifications via SMS and email, offering new booking windows at no additional cost.
• Refund Options: Those unwilling to rebook may apply for full refunds through the Air Peace website or ticket offices.
• Customer Support: Dedicated hotlines and social‐media channels have been ramped up to address passenger inquiries and provide timely status updates.

NiMet Strike: Background and Demands

NiMet’s industrial action began earlier this month after prolonged negotiations with the federal government over:

1. Salary Adjustments: Calls for the reversal of what staff describe as stagnant wages that have failed to keep pace with inflation.
2. Operational Funding: Demands for increased budgetary allocations to procure modern weather monitoring equipment and expand coverage.
3. Staff Welfare: Requests for better training opportunities, hazard allowances, and improvement of on‐site working conditions at remote weather stations.

Despite several rounds of talks, no breakthrough has emerged, leading to the current standoff. The strike has not only affected aviation but also agriculture, marine operations, and disaster‐management agencies that rely on NiMet data.

Regulatory and Governmental Response

The Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have expressed concerns over the safety implications of the strike. In a joint communiqué, they urged both NiMet and the Federal Ministry of Finance to accelerate negotiations. Key talking points include:

• Interim Measures: Proposal to deploy military meteorologists and imported weather data systems as short‐term solutions.
• Stakeholder Summit: Plans to convene an emergency aviation safety summit, bringing together airlines, NiMet officials, and regulators.
• Financial Incentives: Consideration of a special budgetary allocation to address NiMet’s critical funding gaps.

However, no official date has been set for these measures, leaving the industry in a state of uncertainty.

Reactions from Industry Players

• Other Airlines: Several competitors, including Dana Air and Arik Air, are reportedly monitoring the situation closely and may suspend select routes if the strike persists.
• Pilots’ Associations: The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has backed Air Peace’s decision, emphasizing that no commercial interest should override safety protocols.
• Civil Aviation Experts: Analysts warn that prolonged reliance on ad hoc meteorological support could diminish Nigeria’s safety record and erode international confidence.

Economic Ramifications

Nigeria’s aviation sector contributed over ₦1.5 trillion to the national economy in 2024, with passenger traffic growing by 12% year‐on‐year. The sudden halt in operations threatens:

• Revenue Losses: Airlines stand to lose billions in ticket sales, ancillary fees, and cargo services.
• Tourism Impact: The suspension comes at a time when domestic tourism is rebounding, potentially deterring visitors to key destinations like Calabar and Obudu.
• Supply Chains: Freight operators relying on air cargo for perishables and critical medical supplies may face delays, affecting businesses and healthcare facilities.

Looking Ahead: Path to Resolution

Resolution of the NiMet strike is critical not only for aviation safety but for multiple sectors that depend on reliable weather intelligence. Potential pathways include:

1. High‐Level Mediation: Appointment of a presidential envoy to broker a final settlement.
2. Budgetary Reallocation: Fast‐tracking emergency funding for NiMet through the National Assembly.
3. Public‐Private Partnerships: Engagement of international meteorological organizations to support infrastructural upgrades.

Until NiMet technicians return to duty and resume issuing CNH reports, Air Peace and potentially other carriers will have little choice but to maintain their suspensions.

What you should know

Air Peace’s unprecedented decision to ground its entire domestic fleet underscores the non‐negotiable nature of flight safety. While this action inconveniences thousands of travelers, it reflects a commitment to international aviation standards and a recognition that robust meteorological support is the backbone of safe air travel—especially during Nigeria’s volatile weather seasons.

As negotiations between NiMet and the federal government continue, stakeholders across aviation, commerce, and tourism sectors will be watching closely. The speed and efficacy with which the strike is resolved will have far‐reaching implications, not only for the airlines but for Nigeria’s broader economic resilience.

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