Air Peace apologises over flight delays, cancellations, pledges operational stability
Air Peace has apologised to passengers affected by recent flight disruptions, including delays, diversions and cancellations, attributing the challenges to a combination of weather conditions, technical issues, a bird strike, a false fire alarm and delays in aviation fuel availability.
The airline said it recognised the inconvenience caused to travellers and regretted the disruption of journeys and important plans.
In a statement signed by its Chief Operating Officer, Oluwatoyin Olajide, Air Peace explained that several unforeseen incidents had combined to affect its operations in recent days.
According to the carrier, an inadvertent false fire alarm resulted in one of its aircraft being grounded, while another aircraft was taken out of service for several days after sustaining a bird strike.
The airline also identified adverse weather as a major contributor to the disruptions, noting that weather conditions led to aircraft diversions, delays and, in some cases, cancellations.
In addition, some aircraft were subjected to mandatory technical checks and maintenance, while delays in the availability of aviation fuel affected operations in certain instances.
Air Peace acknowledged that although some of the factors were beyond its immediate control, passengers ultimately bore the inconvenience.
“While some of these circumstances were beyond our immediate control, we acknowledge the impact they have had on our passengers,” the airline said.
It added that its priority was to manage the operational challenges responsibly, reduce disruption and ensure that passengers were not left to bear the consequences of circumstances affecting the airline’s operations.
The airline’s management also used the statement to reaffirm its position that safety would always take precedence over schedule adherence.
Air Peace stressed that it would not release an aircraft for service until its technical personnel and other relevant safety processes had confirmed that the aircraft was fit to operate.
The carrier said it would rather delay or cancel a flight than compromise the safety of passengers, crew or aircraft.
“Air Peace will never compromise safety in an attempt to keep to a schedule,” it stated.
The airline maintained that safety remained its highest priority, particularly when dealing with incidents such as bird strikes, technical faults and adverse weather.
“An aircraft will not be released for service until our technical teams and all relevant safety procedures are satisfied that it is safe to fly,” it said.
Air Peace further explained that where weather conditions or an aircraft-related safety concern required a flight to be delayed or an aircraft to remain grounded, such a decision would take precedence over operational convenience.
It said this approach was necessary to ensure that efforts to minimise delays did not undermine established aviation safety standards.
Against the backdrop of the recent disruptions, Air Peace said it was implementing immediate measures aimed at restoring greater stability across its operations.
The carrier said it was strengthening its contingency measures to improve its ability to deal with unforeseen circumstances and reduce the effect of such incidents on passengers.
It also promised to improve its communication and responsiveness when disruptions occur.
“We are taking immediate steps to stabilise our operations, strengthen our contingency measures and improve our communication and responsiveness when unforeseen challenges arise,” the airline said.
The measures are expected to support the airline’s efforts to manage unexpected operational events more effectively while keeping passengers better informed.
Air Peace said it remained committed to providing safe and dependable air transport, despite the challenges encountered in recent days.
The airline’s management also acknowledged the frustration that flight disruptions can cause, particularly for passengers travelling for business, family engagements and other time-sensitive commitments.
Olajide offered a direct apology to passengers who had experienced delays, cancellations or other disruptions as a result of the recent operational challenges.
“To every passenger who has been inconvenienced, kept waiting, had a journey disrupted or had to rearrange important plans because of these operational challenges, we sincerely apologise,” she said.
The airline also thanked passengers for their patience and understanding during the period, as well as for continuing to place their confidence in the carrier.
Air Peace said restoring passenger confidence remained central to its efforts to improve service delivery.
The carrier reaffirmed its ambition to provide an increasingly seamless travel experience while maintaining strict adherence to safety requirements.
“Air Peace remains committed to providing safe, dependable and increasingly seamless air travel, and to earning the trust and confidence of the flying public,” the airline said.
The carrier added that it appreciated the confidence of its passengers and remained committed to delivering the level of quality, reliability and service expected from it.
The latest assurance comes as airlines continue to contend with a range of operational factors that can affect flight schedules, including weather disruptions, aircraft maintenance requirements, fuel availability and other unforeseen events.
For Air Peace, however, the management said the immediate objective was to stabilise operations, improve contingency planning and strengthen communication with passengers, while maintaining safety as the non-negotiable foundation of its services.
