BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Nigeria’s flag carrier, Air Peace Limited, has denied claims that passengers were abandoned following the disruption of its Abuja–London service on March 13, even as the aviation regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has summoned the airline for an urgent meeting over the incident and other reported service disruptions.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Air Peace insisted that no passenger was stranded after the aircraft operating the Abuja–London route made an air return due to a suspected bird strike that cracked the cockpit windshield.
According to the airline, the aircraft safely returned to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in line with established aviation safety protocols.
“The air return occurred due to a windshield crack suspected to be caused by a bird strike on our Abuja–London (Heathrow) flight.
“The decision to return to base was strictly in line with established aviation safety protocols. The aircraft safely returned to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where all passengers disembarked safely while our engineering team commenced the necessary technical checks on the aircraft” the airline said.
Air Peace stressed that it immediately activated its passenger care procedures, offering travellers alternative arrangements to complete their journeys to the United Kingdom.
The airline explained that affected passengers were given the option of departing the same day via its Lagos–Gatwick route or travelling the following day from Abuja.
“We immediately provided passengers with options of flying out the same day through our Lagos–Gatwick route or flying the following day through Abuja to London.
“Majority of the passengers were flown to Lagos free of charge to join our Lagos–Gatwick flight, while some preferred to travel the next day through Abuja. Hotel accommodation was also provided to those who needed it”, Air Peace added.
Air Peace, therefore, dismissed social media claims that passengers were abandoned.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no passenger was abandoned or left stranded at any point during the handling of the situation.
“We therefore respectfully clarify that the characterization of passengers being abandoned or stranded is inaccurate and wonder where this narrative came from,” the airline noted.
Air Peace also condemned what it described as persistent and deliberate attacks against the carrier.
“We decry the deliberate bashing and persistent hounding of Air Peace for unfounded reasons,” the airline added, reaffirming that safety remains the cornerstone of its operations.
However, the NCAA has taken a different stance, announcing that the airline has been summoned to its headquarters for an urgent meeting on Monday to address complaints received from passengers.
In a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the authority said it had received reports that passengers on the Heathrow–Abuja service were rerouted through Gatwick–Lagos–Abuja and allegedly left stranded in Lagos following the air return linked to the cracked windshield.
The regulator said the incident, alongside other reported issues including delayed refunds and compensation claims, has triggered the intervention of its Consumer Protection Department.
“Air Peace has been summoned to the NCAA headquarters for an urgent meeting on Monday with regards to a number of unexplained disruptions.
“We will not tolerate any abandonment of paying passengers. While the Authority continues to support domestic carriers, we hold all operators to the strictest standards”, Achimugu said.
According to the NCAA, a formal investigation will now be conducted in line with the consumer protection provisions contained in Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.
The authority reiterated its mandate as Nigeria’s aviation regulator to safeguard passenger rights while ensuring airlines comply with global safety and service standards.
“The NCAA, as the sole regulatory agency for civil aviation in Nigeria, remains committed to protecting the rights of all stakeholders,” Achimugu added.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
