BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Air Peace has confirmed that one of its Airbus A320 aircraft was severely damaged on the ground at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (MMA1), Lagos, after a baggage conveyor belt vehicle operated by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) crashed into one of the aircraft’s engines, disrupting the airline’s flight schedule.
The incident occurred shortly after Flight P47427 arrived safely from Kano and passengers disembarked.
According to a statement issued by the airline on Tuesday, the NAHCO ground handling equipment struck the aircraft’s engine, leaving the Airbus A320 “totally unserviceable.”
The airline said the damaged aircraft had been scheduled to operate several flights across its domestic network in the coming days, warning that the incident would lead to delays and possible flight cancellations as it rearranges its fleet.
“The ground handling equipment belonging to and operated by NAHCO tore into the aircraft, rendering the aircraft totally unserviceable,” the airline said.
Air Peace added: “This unfortunate incident has significantly impacted our operations, as the aircraft was rostered to operate multiple flights within our network over the coming days. Consequently, several scheduled services will experience delays, while some may regrettably be cancelled as we work to mitigate the disruption through fleet adjustments.”
The airline apologised to passengers whose travel plans may be affected by the incident, assuring them that efforts were underway to reduce the disruption.
“We sincerely apologise to our esteemed passengers whose travel plans may be affected by this unforeseen ground handling incident. Our operational and customer service teams are actively working to minimise the inconvenience by providing available alternatives and ensuring that affected passengers receive the necessary assistance,” the statement added.
Air Peace stressed that safety remains its highest priority and said it was working with the ground handling company and aviation authorities to determine the cause of the accident.
“At Air Peace, the safety of our passengers, crew, and equipment remains our highest priority. We are working closely with the relevant ground handling company and aviation authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent a recurrence,” the airline said.
The carrier also thanked customers for their patience and continued support as it manages the operational challenges arising from the accident.
Meanwhile, preliminary information indicated that the driver of the NAHCO baggage conveyor belt vehicle may have slumped while driving, causing him to lose control before the equipment crashed into the aircraft. However, this has not been officially confirmed, and the exact cause of the incident is expected to be determined by ongoing investigations.
The incident is expected to trigger a safety review of ground handling procedures at the Lagos airport, given its impact on airline operations and aircraft availability.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
