Air Peace Leaves Passengers Stranded as NiMet Strike Disrupts Flights

Hundreds of Air Peace passengers were left stranded at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Wednesday after the airline failed to notify them of the disruption to their flights caused by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) strike.

The strike, which commenced on the same day, affected Air Peace’s operations, but the airline did not communicate the changes to its passengers in advance.

Many passengers only became aware of the strike and its impact on their flights when they arrived at the airport, leading to frustration and anger. A source whose flight to Lagos was scheduled for 12:10 pm expressed disappointment at the lack of communication from Air Peace. “I understand that there was a strike, but I don’t understand why Air Peace didn’t notify us in advance,” the source said.

The source noted that while Air Peace flights were grounded, aircraft from other airlines were landing and taking off without any issues. According to the source, Air Peace pilots, who are foreigners, did not rely on signals from the Air Force Base, which other airlines used to operate their flights.

Air Peace eventually cancelled the flights around 12:30 pm, leading to chaos and overcrowding at the airport. The situation became so tense that one aggrieved customer smashed the airline’s office glass, prompting security officials to attempt to arrest her. However, other passengers intervened, blocking the arrest and expressing their solidarity with the angry customer.

A trending video appears to show the owner and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, making calls to a senior staff member, instructing her to suspend all flights with immediate effect due to the ongoing strike. Although according to the CEO he is looking out for the safety of the passengers but to some the video suggests that Air Peace was aware of the potential disruption to their operations but failed to communicate this to their passengers in a timely manner.

The NiMet strike, which began on Wednesday, is a result of the aviation workers’ unions’ demand for better remuneration and the implementation of unmet agreements with management. The strike is expected to continue indefinitely, affecting airline operations across the country. Air Peace’s failure to communicate with its passengers has added to the chaos and frustration caused by the strike, highlighting the need for better communication and contingency planning in the aviation industry.