Air Peace Faces Backlash After Cancelling Multiple Flights

Passengers were left stranded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after Air Peace cancelled multiple flights.

The airline’s actions have sparked a heated debate with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over safety concerns versus passenger convenience.

According to report by PUNCH, Dr. Kunle Ashimi, one of the affected passengers, questioned the airline’s accountability. “If a passenger arrives late, they’re penalized. But who holds the airline accountable for this kind of abuse?” Ashimi, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Ogun State, had his flight rescheduled from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm but waited until 3:15 am for the airline to arrive.

Other passengers shared similar frustrations. An expatriate missed a once-a-week international connecting flight, while a nursing mother, Adetoun, was worried about her child’s doctor’s appointment in Lagos. “My child will have to sleep in the airport hall with mosquitoes, which is very painful for me,” Adetoun said.

The NCAA had warned Air Peace to end its serial delays and cancellations. In response, the airline stated that safety is its top priority. “We fully empathize with our passengers who experience discomfort, inconvenience, or disrupted plans due to flight delays or cancellations. However, we do not regret taking operational decisions rooted in the protection of human lives and in strict adherence to safety standards,” Air Peace said.

The airline’s management claimed that delays and cancellations are dictated by safety considerations, citing weather conditions, technical parameters, or operational standards as reasons for their decisions. Despite the controversy, passengers are calling on the government to intervene and address the growing disruptions in the aviation industry.

PUNCH