AIR PEACE AIRCRAFT VEERS OFF RUNWAY IN PORT HARCOURT, NO CASUALTIES REPORTED

Read Time:1 Minute, 21 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

An Air Peace aircraft veered off the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State on Sunday morning after landing, prompting safety concerns and renewed scrutiny of domestic aviation operations.

The airline confirmed the incident involving Flight P47190, which departed from Lagos and landed safely before the aircraft slightly skidded off the runway.

In a statement issued by the airline’s spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, Air Peace assured the public that all passengers disembarked calmly and safely, with no injuries or damage reported.

“Air Peace confirms that its Flight P47190, operating from Lagos to Port Harcourt this morning, had a runway excursion after landing safely at the Port Harcourt International Airport,” the statement read.

“The aircraft veered slightly off the runway without any damage. All passengers disembarked safely and calmly, and no injuries were reported.”

The airline further reiterated its “unflinching commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety in all our operations.”

As of press time, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

Sunday’s runway mishap marks a concerning recurrence for the Port Harcourt airport, where a similar incident occurred in 2019. It also comes just two months after another Air Peace flight was grounded at the Asaba International Airport in Delta State, following a collision with an antelope while taxiing on the runway — an incident that led to flight delays and safety assessments.

Authorities are expected to investigate the latest event to determine the cause and ensure appropriate safety measures are reinforced.