NO PASSENGERS STRANDED ON LONDON-ABUJA FLIGHT, AIR PEACE RESPONDS TO NCAA SUMMON

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By: Muftau Fatimo

Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has responded to the summon issued by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), asserting that no passengers were stranded on its Abuja-London flight on Friday.

The airline issued the statement hours after the NCAA announced that it had called Air Peace to an urgent meeting over what the regulator described as a series of “unexplained disruptions,” including passenger complaints of being stranded following a flight diversion on the London route.

Air Peace clarified that the aircraft made an emergency return to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on March 13, 2026, after the crew detected a crack on the windshield, which was suspected to have resulted from a bird strike.

In the statement, the airline emphasized that the decision to abort the flight and return to Abuja was made strictly in accordance with global aviation safety standards.

“The attention of Air Peace has been drawn to comments circulating on social media suggesting that passengers on our Abuja–London service were abandoned following an air return on March 13, 2026.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no passenger was abandoned or left stranded at any point during the handling of the situation,” the airline said.

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According to the airline, the pilot followed established safety protocols by returning the aircraft to Abuja to allow engineers conduct technical checks.

“The air return occurred due to a windshield crack suspected to be caused by a bird strike on our Abuja–London flight. The decision to return to base was strictly in line with established aviation safety protocols,” the statement added.

The airline added that it immediately activated its passenger care procedures to minimize disruption.

The airline further explained that passengers were offered alternative travel arrangements to ensure they could continue their journey to the United Kingdom.

“In accordance with our standard passenger care protocols and global aviation best practices, all affected passengers were fully attended to. We emphasize that no passenger was left stranded.

“We promptly offered passengers the choice to travel the same day via our Lagos-Gatwick route or the following day via Abuja-London flights,” the statement read.

It further noted that most passengers were transported to Lagos at no additional cost to join the Lagos-Gatwick service, while others opted to depart the next day from Abuja.

“Hotel accommodations were arranged for those who required them,” the airline added.

“We wish to clarify that claims suggesting passengers were abandoned or stranded are inaccurate, and we question the origin of this narrative,” the airline stated.

The carrier also reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), underscoring its dedication to regulatory compliance and passenger safety.

“As a responsible airline, Air Peace maintains a strong, cooperative relationship with the NCAA and remains fully committed to compliance, passenger protection, and operational transparency.

“We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding shown by our valued passengers and the traveling public during the disruption.

“We strongly condemn the unwarranted criticism and persistent targeting of Air Peace over baseless claims,” the statement added.