Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has refuted claims by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suggesting that recent flight delays and cancellations were due to a shortage of aircraft in its fleet.
In a statement released over the weekend, the airline insisted that it operates with a fleet larger than the number of aircraft it uses daily and that the recent disruptions were in no way linked to operational capacity. According to the Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, the airline prioritizes safety above all other considerations and would never compromise that principle for any reason.
“Any delays or cancellations we’ve experienced have absolutely nothing to do with fleet shortage,” Dr. Ndiulo said. “Air Peace has more aircraft than we schedule to fly on any given day. When we delay or cancel a flight, it is always for safety-related reasons such as weather, technical checks, or unforeseen incidents like bird strikes.”
The airline was reacting to concerns raised by the NCAA, which had suggested that the airline align its flight schedules with available aircraft to minimize service disruptions. The regulatory authority had also hinted at increasing its oversight of airline operations to ensure compliance with aviation standards and passenger rights.
But Air Peace dismissed the notion of mismanagement, citing a recent bird strike incident in Enugu which led to a plane being grounded. This, the airline noted, triggered unavoidable schedule disruptions that were promptly addressed in line with standard aviation safety procedures.
Dr. Ndiulo emphasized that the airline does not arbitrarily cancel or delay flights. “Safety will always come first. We will never compromise on that — not for comfort, speed, profit, or any other reason,” he stated.
He acknowledged the inconvenience caused to passengers and apologized for the disruptions, while reaffirming the airline’s commitment to upholding the highest levels of safety and professionalism.
Air Peace, which operates both domestic and international routes, said it remains committed to working with regulators to maintain transparency and ensure the safety of its operations.
The NCAA has yet to issue a follow-up response, but industry observers say the exchange highlights the increasing scrutiny of airline operations in Nigeria’s rapidly growing aviation sector.
