Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace Limited, has clarified issues concerning the disruption to its London Gatwick–Lagos service on May 1, 2026, attributing the incident to a bird strike and subsequent operational constraints, while dismissing claims that passengers were left stranded without care.
The airline’s response follows the circulation of a viral video on social media alleging that affected travellers were abandoned at the airport without communication or support. In a strongly worded statement, Air Peace described the narrative as misleading and lacking full context.
According to the airline, the disruption occurred after the aircraft operating the Gatwick–Lagos route suffered a bird strike – an incident classified in aviation as a force majeure event.
The development, it explained, required the immediate grounding of the aircraft to enable comprehensive safety inspections in strict compliance with international aviation standards.
Reiterating its safety-first philosophy, Air Peace stressed that it would never compromise on safety considerations. “Under no circumstance would we operate an aircraft without the required safety clearance,” the airline stated, adding that passenger safety remains its highest priority.
The airline disclosed that passengers were promptly informed of the situation and the cancellation of the flight. It further stated that arrangements were swiftly initiated to mitigate the inconvenience, including the provision of hotel accommodation at the Hilton London Gatwick and the coordination of onward transit logistics.
However, Air Peace acknowledged that the process was not without setbacks. It cited heavy airport congestion and delays involving ground handling services as key factors that slowed the retrieval of passengers’ checked baggage. These delays, the airline explained, affected how quickly some travellers could be transported to their accommodation.
Offering further clarification, the airline noted that baggage handling operations at international airports are managed by designated third-party companies and governed by strict regulatory procedures. As such, it emphasised that airlines have limited control over the speed and sequence of baggage retrieval.
Despite these challenges, Air Peace maintained that passengers were not abandoned at any stage of the disruption. It insisted that consistent communication was maintained, including announcements from the flight captain and updates from ground staff, while all affected passengers were offered accommodation and necessary support.
The airline also confirmed that many of the passengers had already been lodged at the hotel, while arrangements were ongoing to deploy an alternative aircraft to complete the journey to Lagos.
While expressing regret over the inconvenience caused, Air Peace urged passengers and the public to understand the complexities of airline operations, particularly during unforeseen events such as bird strikes. It emphasised that such incidents involve multiple stakeholders and require strict adherence to safety and regulatory protocols.
The airline criticised what it described as persistent negative attention over the incident, arguing that the backlash was disproportionate given the circumstances and the measures taken to safeguard passengers.
Air Peace concluded by reaffirming its commitment to passenger welfare, pledging continuous improvement in its response to disruptions, and thanking travellers for their patience and understanding.
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