Nigerian airline, Air Peace, has responded to recent comments reportedly made by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) urging the carrier to enhance its domestic flight operations following complaints of frequent delays and cancellations.
In a press release issued by its management, Air Peace acknowledged the NCAA’s vital role in ensuring aviation safety and regulatory compliance but asserted that recent public remarks had misrepresented its operational capabilities and safety practices.
“While we hold the NCAA in the highest regard… we believe it is essential to set the record straight,” the airline stated.
Emphasising that safety remains its top priority, Air Peace explained that most delays or cancellations stem from safety-related decisions rather than operational shortcomings.
“If weather conditions, technical parameters, or operational standards fall short of what is safe, we will not operate that flight,” the statement read.
Addressing an alleged suggestion by the NCAA that it scale down operations to align with available aircraft, Air Peace dismissed any notion of a fleet shortage. The airline clarified that it currently has more aircraft than it deploys on a daily basis.
“Any delays or cancellations we’ve experienced have absolutely nothing to do with fleet shortage,” it said.
To demonstrate the unpredictable nature of flight disruptions, Air Peace cited an incident earlier in the day involving a bird strike during landing in Enugu, which damaged an engine and led to the grounding of the aircraft. The affected plane had been scheduled for multiple flights, resulting in a chain reaction of delays.
“It is not our policy to delay or cancel flights without due cause,” the airline added, noting that it often incurs significant financial losses when flights are disrupted.
Reaffirming its commitment to global aviation safety standards, Air Peace concluded by pledging to continue serving its passengers with professionalism, dignity, and a firm adherence to safety above all else.
