NCAA chief says Air Peace did not abandon any passenger in London

• Frowns on de‑marketing of Nigerian carrier

Director‑General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, defended Air Peace against accusations that the airline left passengers without accommodation in London after a flight was disrupted by a bird strike on May 1.

Speaking to journalists during a stakeholder engagement on the digital transformation initiative at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, yesterday, Najomo rejected the claim that passengers were “stranded” in the United Kingdom, saying the airline acted responsibly and complied fully with aviation safety procedures.

He said all affected passengers were promptly housed at the Hilton Hotel near Gatwick Airport after the operating aircraft suffered a bird strike that was identified during a post‑landing inspection.

“There was no case of abandonment. The passengers were taken care of. In fact, my wife was on that flight and they were all accommodated by Air Peace,” he stated.

The director‑general explained that the aircraft landed safely in London and passengers had already disembarked when the pilot performed a routine ramp inspection and found evidence of a bird strike. Following the discovery, Air Peace immediately contacted the aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, which advised that the plane be grounded pending further checks.

Najomo said the airline quickly informed passengers of the situation and offered several options, including hotel accommodation and placement on the next Air Peace flight arriving from Abuja later that day.

“Delays and cancellations happen to all airlines. What happened to Air Peace was taken out of context, and it is unfair. No airline deliberately leaves its passengers stranded,” he added.

He also criticised individuals who posted viral videos of the incident, questioning what more the airline could reasonably have done under the circumstances.

“At this point, what did you expect Air Peace to do? I am not here to defend Air Peace. If they go wrong, I will criticise them. But the NCAA investigated this incident and found that Air Peace did the right thing and followed all necessary protocols,” Najomo said.

The aviation regulator condemned what he described as attempts to “de‑market” Nigeria’s leading indigenous carrier, urging Nigerians to support local airlines rather than amplify negative narratives.

“We should support our own. Incidents like this happen globally. It happened to Delta. It happened to British Airways. Nobody made noise about it or posted endless videos online. Why should Air Peace be treated differently?”

Delta Air Lines and British Airways were cited as examples of major international carriers that have also experienced operational disruptions caused by unforeseen technical or environmental issues.

Najomo linked recent disruptions in the aviation sector to the soaring global cost of aviation fuel, exacerbated by the ongoing Middle East crisis.

According to him, airlines worldwide are confronting rising operational expenses and are implementing cost‑cutting measures to remain viable.

He noted that several foreign carriers have reduced routes and trimmed in‑flight services in response to the economic pressure facing the industry.