Flight delays and cancellations were recorded in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano airports on Wednesday
The management of Air Peace announced on Wednesday that it has suspended all flight operations due to the ongoing industrial action by employees of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
In a statement issued by the airline and posted on its official X page, it said the ongoing strike action by NiMet staff may cause disruptions, including possible flight delays and cancellations.
“We are currently monitoring the situation and working with relevant stakeholders to minimise the impact on your travel plans,” the airline said, noting that it will provide updates as the situation evolves.
On Wednesday, NiMet employees commenced an indefinite strike to protest poor wages among other issues.
Flight delays and cancellations were recorded in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano airports on Wednesday as NiMet workers staged protests across the facilities.
A video making the rounds on social media shows workers participating in a procession while carrying placards and banners that displayed various slogans intended to express their dissatisfaction.
The participants were seen chanting, “No weather, no flight; fly at your own risk.”
NiMet is the Nigerian agency saddled with the responsibility of advising the government on all aspects of meteorology, including weather forecasting and climate prediction.
The agency also plays a crucial role in collecting, processing, and disseminating meteorological data to various sectors of the economy, including the aviation industry.
It was gathered that some of the issues that triggered the industrial action on Wednesday stemmed from the agency’s failure to negotiate or implement agreed financial allowances and unresolved entitlements, including wage awards, peculiar allowances, and the recently approved minimum wage increase.
A top NiMet official expressed disappointment with the hardline stance of striking unions, stating that some issues have been resolved, while others are in various stages. The official questioned the motives behind the strike action, as the unions had previously thanked management for its labor-friendly policies. The management is not reluctance to reach an amicable resolution, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development is scheduled to meet with all parties.
