Air Peace Counters Reports on NSIB Probe, Says Safety Remains Paramount
Air Peace has dismissed media reports suggesting that its crew tested positive for alcohol in relation to the incident involving one of its aircraft at Port Harcourt International Airport on 13 July 2025.
The airline described the circulating stories as misleading, insisting it has yet to receive any formal notification from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) regarding such findings.
The airline, in a statement on Friday, underscored that the safety of passengers and crew has always been central to its operations. “We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol which took place in less than an hour of the incident,” the management declared.
According to the airline, immediate internal action was taken after the Port Harcourt incident. The captain of the affected flight was relieved of his flying duties and remains grounded.
However, Air Peace stressed that the disciplinary measure was not tied to an alcohol test, but rather to his failure to follow established Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and standard go-around procedures advised by his co-pilot.
“The captain was relieved from further flight duty till date for failure to adhere to CRM principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot, but not for testing positive to the breathalyser test,” the statement clarified.
Air Peace also corrected claims implicating the co-pilot, explaining that he had acted professionally during the incident by calling for a go-around. The airline confirmed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had since cleared the First Officer of any suspicion and reinstated him to active flight operations.
“If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties,” Air Peace stated firmly.
The management reaffirmed its long-standing strict policy on alcohol and drugs. “Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!” it stressed.
Looking ahead, the airline pledged to intensify checks and training to prevent any lapses in crew performance.
“The importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be overemphasised. We will intensify strict fitness-for-duty checks and stronger internal monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy,” the statement added.
Reassuring the public, Air Peace highlighted its consistent record of safe operations and adherence to international standards. The airline noted that its commitment to safety would remain non-negotiable.
“Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace,” the management concluded.
