ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace Limited, has explained the circumstances behind the disruption of its London Gatwick–Lagos flight on May 1, 2026, stating that passengers were not abandoned and that its actions were guided by safety considerations.
In a statement released via its official X handle on Saturday, the airline said a viral social media video claiming passengers were left stranded without communication or assistance “does not accurately reflect the full circumstances surrounding the disruption.”
According to the airline, the flight was impacted by a bird strike, which it described as a “recognised force majeure event in aviation,” requiring the aircraft to be grounded immediately for safety inspections.
“The affected flight experienced a bird strike necessitating the immediate grounding of the aircraft for comprehensive safety inspections in line with global aviation standards,” the airline said, emphasising that “safety is not negotiable, and under no circumstance would we operate an aircraft without the required safety clearance.”
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Air Peace said passengers were promptly notified of the incident and the cancellation.
“Affected passengers were promptly informed of the incident and the cancellation of the service,” it stated, adding that arrangements were made for their comfort, including hotel accommodation at Hilton London Gatwick.
The airline, however, acknowledged that operational challenges affected certain aspects of passenger handling, particularly baggage retrieval.
“We encountered additional operational constraints, including airport congestion and delays from ground handling services responsible for baggage retrieval,” it explained.
It also clarified that baggage handling is managed by third-party ground handling companies, not directly by the airline.
“Baggage handling at international airports is managed by designated ground handling companies and as such, Air Peace does not exercise direct control over these processes,” the statement read.
Rejecting claims that passengers were abandoned, the airline said communication was maintained throughout the disruption.
“At no point were passengers abandoned. Communication was maintained with all affected passengers, and every effort was made to ensure their welfare,” it said, noting that accommodation was provided and arrangements were underway to deploy a replacement aircraft.
The airline also expressed concern over criticism of its handling of the situation.
“We find the ongoing negative hounding of our airline over a safety-driven, force majeure incident to be shocking and unwarranted,” it stated, adding that the flight captain provided regular updates to passengers.
While acknowledging the inconvenience caused, Air Peace appealed for understanding.
“We recognise that aviation disruptions can be distressing, however, aviation operations are not ‘plug and play,’” it said, citing the involvement of multiple stakeholders and strict safety procedures.
Reaffirming its position, the airline said it “remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety, comfort, and overall well-being of our passengers” and pledged to continue improving its response to unforeseen disruptions.