Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace Limited, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the disruption of its London Gatwick–Lagos flight on May 1, 2026, insisting that passengers were not abandoned and that safety considerations guided its actions.
In a statement issued via its official X handle on Saturday, the airline said a viral social media video claiming passengers were left stranded without communication or care “does not accurately reflect the full circumstances surrounding the disruption.”
According to the airline, the flight was affected by a bird strike—described as a recognised force majeure event in aviation—which required the aircraft to be grounded immediately for safety checks.
“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.
It stressed that safety remains its top priority, adding, “Safety is not negotiable, and under no circumstance would we operate an aircraft without the required safety clearance.”
Air Peace stated that passengers were promptly informed about the incident and the subsequent cancellation. It added that arrangements were made for their comfort, including hotel accommodation at the Hilton London Gatwick.
The airline, however, acknowledged operational challenges that delayed 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, noting that baggage handling at international airports is managed by third-party companies and not directly controlled by the airline.
Rejecting claims that passengers were abandoned, Air Peace maintained that communication was sustained 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, adding that all passengers were offered accommodation while arrangements were being finalised to deploy another aircraft.
The airline also expressed concern over what it described as criticism of its handling of the incident, calling it “shocking and unwarranted,” and noting that the flight captain provided timely updates to passengers.
While acknowledging the inconvenience caused, Air Peace appealed for understanding, emphasising that aviation operations involve multiple stakeholders and strict safety protocols.
It reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and comfort, pledging to continue reviewing its processes to improve service during unforeseen disruptions.
