There are indications that flight operations are still going despite warnings by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) that they are withdrawing meteorological services across airports.
Findings by The Guardian revealed that Ibom Air, Aero Contractors, Overland, and United Airlines are still operating their usual flight operations.
Meanwhile, Air Peace, British Airways, and some international flights suspended operations on Wednesday due to the ongoing strike by the weather forecasting agency.
AirPeace on Wednesday said NIMET is the only agency responsible for issuing Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather (CNH) 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.
However, checks revealed that the Nigerian airspace is still booming, as flight announcements to Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt still continue to echo on the speakers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja
While there are probable fears of airlines flying blindly despite no weather information, it was gathered that airlines may 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.
Meanwhile, United Nigeria Airlines on Wednesday affirmed that its flight operations remain fully safe, reliable, and compliant with aviation regulatory standards.
The airline, in a statement by its spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka, expressed its commitment to the safety, comfort, and confidence of its passengers during this period of uncertainty.
Uloka highlighted proactive measures already in place to guarantee uninterrupted operations across its routes.
The airline noted that alternative arrangements have been made to bridge potential gaps.
“Our flight planning and dispatch teams are fully equipped and working around the clock to ensure that all safety protocols are strictly observed, and passenger comfort remains uninterrupted,” the airline affirmed.
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).
However, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is in a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUCPTRE)
NiMET management, Director General Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Captain Chris Najomo, and union leaders attended the meeting, which started at 2:00 pm and is ongoing as of the time of filing this report.
