Air Peace grounds all flights amid strike by airport workers

By Mark Ogagan

Africa’s leading airline, Air Peace, has suspended all its flights as a result of an indefinite strike by workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

The strike, which was earlier suspended, commenced fully on Wednesday, by the workers who are demanding for a better welfare and pay package.

Although some of the airlines are still flying, Air Peace has since taken a decision of grounding all its flights until the strike is suspended.

Speaking on the strike, the Chairman/CEO of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, said that the airline cannot be flying during the strike, citing safety concerns.

Onyema said, “If NiMet has not suspended the strike, all Air Peace flights must be grounded immediately. The safety of crew, passengers and equipment is paramount.”

In an official statement issued Wednesday, the airline also 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 apologise. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling”, Air Peace stated.

Over the years, Air Peace has shown a strong commitment to safety and operational excellence, demonstrated by its dedication to international standards and proactive measures like suspending flights during periods of uncertainty.

Their commitment extends beyond just adhering to regulations, as evidenced by their decisions to prioritise safety even when it means incurring financial losses.