*Air Peace, an indigenous aviation company, and foreign airlines have resumed flight operations, after three aviation unions in the Nigeria Meteorological Agency suspended their earlier indefinite strike over conditions of service, following the intervention of the Federal Government during a meeting in Abuja

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Sequel to suspension of the strike by staff of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) after the Federal Government’s intervention Thursday, April 24, 2025, Air Peace, and foreign airlines have resumed flight operations in the West African country.

绿帽献妻 reports Air Peace, an indigenous airline, and a number of other international airlines earlier聽 had announced the suspension of flights nationwide with immediate effect.

Air Peace thanks Minister Keyamo,聽 travellers

Resuming flight operations, Air Peace thanked air passengers for patience after the NIMET and aviation unions suspended industrial action.

Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, Head of Corporate Communications, who disclosed this development in a statement, said the domestic airline apologised and appreciated passengers for their patience, understanding, and unwavering support throughout the period of the strike.

Ndiulo also stated: “We commend the active and decisive intervention of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, whose leadership and commitment were pivotal in resolving the impasse and restoring normalcy within the aviation industry.

鈥淜eyamo鈥檚 swift engagement with all stakeholders, his transparent approach to dialogue, and his unwavering dedication to the stability and progress of the aviation sector reflect a deep understanding of the critical role aviation plays in national development.”

He further said: “His (Keyamo’s) efforts not only facilitated the timely resolution of the strike but also underscored his broader vision for a safer, more efficient, and investor-friendly Nigerian aviation landscape.”

Earlier, the NiMeT staff’s industrial action, which disrupted flight operations across Nigeria Wednesday, April 23 left several air passengers stranded at some airports.

Concerned aviation unions had declared an indefinite strike in the agency over conditions of service. Several flights were diverted over the failure of the agency to provide destination weather, according to report.

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 Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), declared the strike.

Following the strike, NiMet has not been providing Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), meteorological trend forecast, meteorological and climate information data collected across 56 synoptic stations, according to report.

Likewise, meteorological information is not disseminated according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard and recommended practices, among others.

It was learnt that as of Wednesday, no weather briefing is being given to flights, with the development threatening safe flight operations.

How Air Peace suspended flight operations across Nigerian airports

Following the industrial action by workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Air Peace had announced the suspension of all flight operations nationwide,

The airline, in a statement, announced: 鈥淲e 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.

鈥淭his 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.”

The aviation company said: “Without these reports from the control tower, flight safety cannot be guaranteed.

鈥淎s a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service.

鈥淲e understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologize. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling.”

Workers’ strike over ‘exceedingly unjust remunerations’ for aviation workers

Earlier, the unions, in a circular to their members, had informed that they made efforts at alleviating what they described as the 鈥渆xceedingly unjust remunerations conundrum鈥� with no substantial result.

The striking workers said the situation had plunged them into poverty.

The unions also lamented that the agreements between the NiMet Management and workers signed since January 29, 2025, to improve the conditions of service had been breached.

The circular further noted: 鈥淚n the light of management鈥檚 inability to address our given concerns and being that we can no longer continue to cope with present hardships and especially as the ultimatum given to the management has expired, we have no choice but to resume the suspended strike.

鈥淎ccordingly, all staff of NiMet nationwide are hereby directed to withdraw all services from the agency indefinitely with effect from midnight of Tuesday, April 22, 2025, without exception until otherwise directed.鈥�

A concerned aviation stakeholder, who preferred not to be mentioned, told Daily Trust: 鈥淎s I am talking to you, NiMet is in total lockdown and no cease-fire in the pipeline.

“Air traffic controllers and other aviation unions would join the strike in solidarity.

“All other 56 synoptic offices, agro stations, marine stations and aeronautic stations have been shut down.”

Hitherto, the unions and NiMet Management had been having a running battle over the implementation of CoS, 2019 minimum wage payment and the continuous staff training, among other demands.

According to the unions, the Management of the regulatory agency have failed to implement the agreements reached with the workers January 28 this year 2025.

According to the workers, the Management as well failed to negotiate with the unions on the issues raised.

Relating his ordeal over the workers’ strike, a passenger, who said he was stuck at the airport, asked if there was any hope for the crisis to be sorted last night.

鈥淚 am supposed to be in Lagos by now but here I am still stranded in Abuja,鈥� the passenger reportedly said.

Minister summons NiMet Management, unions

Following the reported failure of the Management of NiMeT to implement the condition of service, the workers have paralysed the activities of the agency with 56 synoptic offices of NiMet shut.

The workers also carried out protests at Abuja, Kano, Minna, Port Harcourt and Asaba airports with the action affecting flight operations of airlines.

The protesting workers carried placards with inscriptions such as 鈥淲e鈥檙e tired of failed promises鈥�; 鈥淣o weather, no flight!鈥� 鈥淔ly at your own risk!鈥�

Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, Honourable Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, has summoned a meeting with the unions slated for Thursday, April 24, report noted.

Comrade Aba Ocheme, General Secretary of NUATE, who reportedly confirmed the meeting聽 however, said the minimum condition for calling off the strike is for the Management to implement the agreements reached with the workers.

Ocheme stated: 鈥淚t is still where it is. The strike is on and is continuing.

“There is no ground for any contrary decision. A meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow (today) and until then, we remain where we are,鈥� he said.

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