Schedule domestic flight activities were disrupted at the Lagos, Abuja, and Kano airports on Wednesday as workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency staged protests at the various airports.
Local media reports on Thursday said that at the Lagos airport, XEJET, Aero Contractors, and Ibom Air operated as scheduled, while Air Peace did not.
In a statement posted on its X handle, Air Peace stated that following the strike by NiMet staff, it had to suspend its operations.
The statement, which was signed by the airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, Ejike Ndiulo, stated, “Due to the ongoing NiMet strike and the unavailability of CNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings, Air Peace has suspended all flight operations nationwide until the strike is over.
“Your safety is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and will share updates as the situation unfolds.”
However, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for a meeting with members of the protesting NiMet unions. The meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday.
The reports added that at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the strike officially commenced at 7:00 am on Wednesday, with NiMet staff and union members seen walking around the premises
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the protesting staff are accusing the management of NiMet of failing to implement the N30,000 and N70,000 minimum wage, non-payment of staff allowances, ignoring requests to include omitted staff in past payments, and neglecting key training programmes, among other issues.
The association disclosed that the management of NiMeT was given one month notice to implement the new minimum wage or face industrial action,
GIK/APA