Airlines Shun NiMET Strike, Continue Flight Operations

After Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest domestic carrier in Nigeria suspended flight operations on Wednesday over an ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), other domestic and international airlines operating in Nigeria have continued to operate seamlessly.

NiMet is the agency responsible for issuing weather reports to airlines and pilots.

LEADERSHIP checks showed that other airlines in Nigeria have continued to operate flights despite the strike.

Information from flight radar on Thursday morning show various flights in Nigeria airspace including flights enroute Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.

International airlines are also on the radar flying into Nigeria as of Thursday morning.

Apart from NiMet reports, airlines have access to other means of accessing weather reports which include internationally recognised weather data sources, such as real-time satellite monitoring, global aviation meteorology systems, pilot weather reports, and other air traffic control services.

United Nigeria Airlines on Wednesday affirmed that its flight operations remain fully safe, reliable, and compliant with aviation regulatory standards.

In a public statement issued on Thursday, the airline expressed its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety, comfort, and confidence of its passengers during this period of uncertainty.

The statement, signed by Chibuike Uloka, Public Relations Officer of the airline, highlighted proactive measures already in place to guarantee uninterrupted operations across its routes.

“United Nigeria Airlines wishes to reassure our valued passengers and the general flying public that our flight operations remain safe, reliable, and fully compliant with regulatory standards, despite the ongoing industrial action by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet),” the statement read in part.

The airline noted that alternative arrangements have been made to bridge any potential gaps.

“Our flight planning and dispatch teams are fully equipped and working round-the-clock to ensure that all safety protocols are strictly observed, and passenger comfort remains uninterrupted,” the airline affirmed.

Air Peace airlines had on Wednesday announced suspension of all its flight operations nationwide with immediate effect due to the ongoing strike NiMet.

In a statement by the airline, it said the 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,” the airline stated.

The strike is backed by three industry unions; 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).