NCAA Clears Air Peace Over London Flight Incident, Says Passengers Were Properly Catered For
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, has defended the actions of Air Peace following the recent disruption of one of its London-bound operations, insisting that no passenger was abandoned in the United Kingdom as widely alleged on social media.
Najomo, who spoke to aviation correspondents in Lagos, described reports suggesting that passengers were left stranded without care as inaccurate and exaggerated, stressing that the airline complied fully with safety and passenger welfare obligations after the incident involving a bird strike.
According to the NCAA boss, the affected aircraft had landed safely in London and passengers had disembarked normally before engineers and flight crew discovered signs of a bird strike during routine post-flight inspection procedures.
He explained that following the discovery, Air Peace immediately consulted aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, which advised that the aircraft should not operate further flights until comprehensive checks were completed.
Najomo noted that the airline prioritised safety by grounding the aircraft immediately and making alternative arrangements for passengers rather than risking further operations.
“The aircraft landed safely and passengers had already disembarked before the bird strike issue was detected during inspection,” he explained. “The airline followed standard safety procedures by consulting Boeing and grounding the aircraft for necessary checks.”
He stated that all passengers affected by the disruption were accommodated at a Hilton Hotel close to Gatwick Airport and were also informed of alternative travel arrangements put in place by the airline.
“There was no abandonment whatsoever,” Najomo stated. “The passengers were properly taken care of by Air Peace. They were lodged in a hotel and arrangements were made to move them on another available flight.”
The NCAA Director-General revealed that his wife was among the passengers on the affected flight, adding that he had firsthand knowledge of how the airline handled the situation.
“My wife was on that flight, so I know exactly what happened. They were all accommodated by Air Peace,” he said.
Najomo expressed concern over what he described as deliberate efforts by some individuals to tarnish the image of the Nigerian carrier, saying the incident had been unfairly sensationalised online despite the airline’s compliance with established operational procedures.
He stressed that disruptions caused by technical issues, weather conditions, or environmental hazards such as bird strikes are common in global aviation and are not peculiar to Nigerian airlines.
“Flight delays and cancellations happen all over the world,” he said. “No responsible airline will continue operating an aircraft after a safety concern has been identified.”
The NCAA boss further criticised social media users who circulated videos and commentaries portraying the airline negatively, insisting that such narratives failed to acknowledge the realities and complexities of airline operations.
“At this stage, people should ask themselves what more the airline could reasonably have done under the circumstances,” he added. “The NCAA carried out its findings and concluded that Air Peace acted appropriately and followed all laid-down protocols.”
Najomo also urged Nigerians to support indigenous airlines rather than contribute to campaigns capable of undermining local operators struggling within a difficult global operating environment.
“We should encourage and support our local airlines,” he stated. “Major international carriers also experience operational disruptions. It has happened to Delta Air Lines and British Airways, yet such incidents are not amplified the way they are when it involves a Nigerian airline.”
He linked some of the operational challenges facing airlines globally to the rising cost of aviation fuel and wider economic pressures triggered partly by the ongoing Middle East crisis.
According to him, airlines across the world are currently under severe financial strain, with many foreign operators reducing routes, cutting services, and adjusting operations to cope with increasing costs.
The NCAA chief’s intervention comes amid growing public criticism of Air Peace over recent flight disruptions and cancellations, with some celebrities and online commentators calling for passengers to avoid the airline.
Despite the criticism, Air Peace has repeatedly maintained that safety considerations remain paramount in all its operations and that any delay or cancellation linked to technical concerns is necessary to guarantee passenger safety and regulatory compliance.
