……..says passengers were duly catered for after safely return
Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the disruption of its Abuja–London service on 13 March 2026, dismissing claims circulating on social media that passengers were abandoned following the incident.
The airline explained that the aircraft operating the flight was compelled to make an air return shortly after departure due to a cracked windshield suspected to have resulted from a bird strike. According to the airline, the precautionary return was executed strictly in line with internationally recognised aviation safety protocols.
The flight had departed from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport bound for London when the issue was detected. In keeping with standard safety procedures, the flight crew decided to return to Abuja to allow engineers carry out a comprehensive inspection of the aircraft.
Air Peace stated that the aircraft landed safely in Abuja and all passengers disembarked without incident while the airline’s engineering team commenced the necessary technical checks.
Responding to allegations that travellers were stranded, the airline emphasised that passenger welfare remained a top priority throughout the handling of the situation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no passenger was abandoned or left stranded at any point,” the airline said in its clarification.
According to the airline, all affected passengers were promptly attended to in accordance with its passenger care procedures and global aviation best practices.
To ensure that passengers continued their journeys with minimal disruption, Air Peace offered multiple travel options.
Passengers were given the opportunity to depart the same day through the airline’s Lagos–Gatwick service or travel the following day on the Abuja–London route.
The airline disclosed that the majority of passengers opted to travel the same day and were transported free of charge from Abuja to Lagos to board the Lagos–Gatwick flight. Others preferred to remain in Abuja and depart on the next available Abuja–London service the following day.
For passengers who required accommodation, hotel arrangements were made to ensure their comfort while awaiting onward travel.
Air Peace described the narrative suggesting that passengers were abandoned as inaccurate and misleading, stressing that every traveller affected by the disruption was properly catered for.
The airline said it was uncertain how the claims originated but reiterated that no passenger was left without assistance during the incident.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety, Air Peace stated that the decision to return the aircraft was taken purely in the interest of passenger safety, which it described as the cornerstone of its operations.
The airline also noted that it maintains a strong and cooperative working relationship with the aviation regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and remains fully committed to regulatory compliance, operational transparency and passenger protection.
While thanking passengers and the travelling public for their patience and understanding during the disruption, the airline also criticised what it described as persistent and unfounded criticism directed at the carrier.
Air Peace maintained that it will continue to uphold the highest safety standards while delivering safe, reliable and world-class air transport services across its expanding domestic and international network.
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