Air Peace suspends flights nationwide over NiMet strike

Air Peace has suspended all its flight operations across the country due to the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

The airline said in a statement on Wednesday that it was also suspending operations due to the unavailability of QNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings.

“Due to the ongoing NiMet strike and the unavailability of QNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings, Air Peace has suspended all flight operations nationwide until the strike is over,” Air Peace said.

“Your safety is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and will share updates as the situation unfolds.”

The airline had earlier announced that the NiMet strike could lead to flight delays and cancellations across its network.

Air Peace added that it was monitoring the situation and working with relevant stakeholders to minimise the impact on customers’ travel plans.

Employees of NiMet commenced a nationwide indefinite strike over welfare issues on Wednesday.

Some of the issues raised involve “NiMet’s refusal to negotiate or implement agreed financial allowances and unresolved entitlements,” including wage awards, peculiar allowances, and outstanding payments from the 2019 minimum wage.

They also accused the management of the agency of withholding important documents, ignoring requests for inclusion of omitted staff in past payments, and neglecting key training programmes in favour of executive retreats.

Bola Tinubu int’l airport to resume flight operations April 23

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, Niger state, will resume flight operations on April 23.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, announced the development in a recent post on X.

“The Niger State Government in partnership with Overland Airways proudly announces the commencement of flight operations from the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, starting April 23rd, 2025,” Keyamo said.

On March 10, 2024, Umar Bago, governor of Niger state, renamed the Abubakar Imam international airport in Minna after Tinubu.

Aminu Takuma, the commissioner for industry, trade and investment, said the renaming of the airport was based on the support the state has received from the president so far.

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In 2023, the federal government named 15 airports across the country after some prominent Nigerians, including former President Muhammadu Buhari and the late Tunde Idiagbon.

Joke Olatunji, director of airport operations of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said the naming of the airports is part of government reforms of the aviation sector.

The airports in Maiduguri, Borno state, and Ibadan, Oyo state, were named after Buhari, and the late Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the premier of the defunct western region.

Also, the Minna airport was renamed after Abubakar Imam, a Nigerian writer and journalist from Niger, who pioneered the first Hausa-language newspaper in northern Nigeria.

Bola Tinubu int’l airport to resume flight operations April 23

Aviation workers threaten nationwide airports shutdown over Customs officer assault

Aviation unions have announced plans to shut down airports across Nigeria starting March 31 in protest against the failure to remove a customs officer who allegedly assaulted the Director of Aviation Security at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

In a joint statement signed by Ocheme Aba (NUATE), Frances Akinjole (ATSSSAN), and Abdul Rasaq Saidu (ANAP), the unions condemned the repeated physical assaults on FAAN staff, vowing not to tolerate such incidents any longer.

The unions also called on the government to urgently reduce the number of customs officers operating within the aviation sector, aligning with global best practices. They warned that if their demands are not met, they will proceed with the nationwide shutdown, potentially disrupting air travel and operations.

The statement reads: “Considering the enormity and frequency of physical and psychological assault on the staff and management personnel of FAAN, of which there is no end in sight, we are compelled to inform the management of the unwavering determination of our unions to cause the establishment of a clear framework of mutual respect among FAAN staff and the security agencies operating at the airports.

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“Consequential sanctions are in place which guarantee the safety and human rights of FAAN staff. We shall direct all the workers to withdraw from the airports with effect from March 31, 2025, pending when such protocols are established.

“The recent assault on no less a personality than the Director of Aviation Security of FAAN is one too many, which leaves a taste too bitter to swallow. It is our sincere hope that our demand in the above respect is well met to avoid the industrial conflagration that will ensue in the absence of acceptable remedial actions.”

In response, Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesperson for Customs, stated in a recent release that the disagreement between FAAN officials and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) stemmed from a miscommunication over equipment movement and seating arrangements.

Aviation workers threaten nationwide airports shutdown over Customs officer assault