Air Peace Clarifies Circumstances Surrounding Abuja–London Flight Disruption After Precautionary Air Return
Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, has refuted claims circulating on social media that passengers were abandoned following the disruption of its Abuja–London service on 13 March 2026, insisting that all travellers were properly catered for after the aircraft made an air return for safety reasons.
In a statement issued by the airline’s management, the carrier explained that the flight, which departed from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport en route to London, was forced to return shortly after take-off when the aircraft’s windshield developed a crack suspected to have been caused by a bird strike.
According to the airline, the decision to turn back was taken strictly in line with global aviation safety procedures.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no passenger was abandoned or left stranded at any point during the handling of the situation,” the airline stated while responding to online comments suggesting otherwise.
Air Peace said the aircraft carried out a precautionary air return and landed safely back in Abuja, where passengers disembarked without incident while engineers immediately began technical inspections on the aircraft.
The airline emphasised that the action was taken as a precautionary safety measure, noting that aviation protocols require aircraft to return to base when potential structural issues are detected.
Following the safe landing, passengers were attended to under the airline’s standard passenger care procedures, which the company said align with global aviation best practices.
Alternative Travel Arrangements
To minimise inconvenience, Air Peace said it promptly offered passengers alternative travel options to continue their journeys to the United Kingdom.
Passengers were given the option of travelling the same day via the airline’s Lagos–Gatwick service or departing the following day on another Abuja–London flight.
The airline disclosed that most passengers opted to travel immediately and were transported free of charge to Lagos to board the Lagos–Gatwick flight. Others chose to remain in Abuja and depart the next day.
For passengers who required accommodation during the disruption, the airline confirmed that hotel arrangements were provided.
Air Peace strongly rejected suggestions that travellers were left stranded, describing the narrative as inaccurate. The airline said it was unclear how the claim originated but stressed that the situation was managed responsibly and that passenger welfare remained a priority throughout the incident.
Reaffirming its commitment to aviation safety and regulatory compliance, Air Peace noted that it maintains a close working relationship with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the country’s aviation regulator.
The airline added that safety continues to be the cornerstone of its operations across its domestic and international network.
While expressing appreciation to passengers for their patience and understanding during the disruption, the airline also criticised what it described as deliberate and persistent attacks against the brand.
Air Peace maintained that it would continue to uphold the highest operational standards while delivering safe, reliable and world-class air transport services to travellers.
