Air Peace Alleges $5m Scam by SmartLynx in Lease Dispute, Says Flights to Normalise Next Week

Air Peace has blamed its recent spate of flight delays and cancellations on the sudden withdrawal of four wet-leased aircraft by SmartLynx Airlines, describing the action as “unprofessional, fraudulent, and a grave breach of contractual obligations.”

At a press conference in Lagos, the Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace, Mr Nowel Ngala, offered a comprehensive explanation of the operational breakdown, assuring passengers that the airline is already recovering as its own aircraft complete maintenance and return to service.

Ngala, speaking to aviation reporters, emphasised that the disruptions were not caused by internal lapses within Air Peace but by an unexpected external action that blindsided the carrier and destabilised its flight schedules.

The airline, he said, had opted for a wet-lease from SmartLynx to ensure continuity while 13 of its aircraft undergo scheduled maintenance abroad. The decision was taken in the interest of Nigerian passengers, many of whom rely on Air Peace for regional and domestic connectivity.

“We entered this wet-lease arrangement to avoid service interruptions,” Ngala explained. “It was a strategic decision to keep Nigerians flying conveniently during a busy travel season.”

Ngala said the arrangement took a dramatic turn when SmartLynx allegedly pulled out four leased aircraft without any form of prior communication.

“The withdrawal was sudden, unjustified, and completely at variance with global aviation standards,” he said. “These aircraft had been fully rostered for scheduled operations, and their removal caused significant operational gaps.”

To make matters worse, Ngala disclosed that SmartLynx had collected substantial funds from Air Peace, including over one million dollars in security deposits – despite being aware that the rightful owners of the aircraft were preparing to repossess them due to SmartLynx’s unresolved payment defaults.

“In total, they hold over five million dollars of our funds,” he said. “Their actions have inflicted more than fifteen million dollars in damages on Air Peace. Beyond the financial loss, this has also affected the Nigerian travelling public, whom we serve with pride.”

He noted that other airlines in different parts of the world who leased aircraft from SmartLynx had also suffered similar withdrawals, a development he said points to “a concerning pattern of unprofessional behaviour.”

Despite the situation, Ngala confirmed that Air Peace has returned three of the four aircraft to their rightful owners.

“We have nothing to hide and nothing to hold back,” he said. “One aircraft remains, and all we are asking for is a refund of our money. That is the responsible and fair thing to do.”

Ngala pointed out that this was not the first time Air Peace had fallen victim to a dishonest leasing partner. He revisited the airline’s past encounter with SYPHAX Airlines of Tunisia, which collected more than two million dollars from Air Peace and vanished after claiming the aircraft needed maintenance. The aircraft never returned, and the funds remain unaccounted for to date.

“It is discouraging that Nigerian airlines face such unfair treatment,” he said. “We cannot allow this cycle of fraud and deception to continue.”

He called for greater fairness in global leasing arrangements, especially for African carriers who often operate at a disadvantage in negotiations with foreign lessors.

Despite the current challenges, Air Peace says there is significant progress. Ngala announced that aircraft undergoing maintenance abroad have started returning to Lagos.

“Two of our aircraft are already back in the country,” he said. “More are returning in the coming days, and we expect to resume full operations from next week.”

The airline believes the return of its fleet will stabilise its schedules and eliminate the shortages caused by the withdrawal of the SmartLynx aircraft.

Ngala extended sincere apologies to passengers who experienced delays and cancellations, acknowledging their frustration.

“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused,” he said. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our passengers. Air Peace will continue to uphold its commitment to safety, reliability, and world-class service.”

He also emphasised that the airline will take all necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, including holding all erring partners accountable through appropriate legal and commercial channels.

Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier, reaffirmed that its priority remains rebuilding operational stability as it prepares to restore its full flight schedule in the coming week.