Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has dismissed allegations that it abandoned passengers following the disruption of its London Gatwick–Lagos flight on May 1, 2026, attributing the incident to a bird strike and insisting that all actions taken were guided by safety considerations.
In a statement released on Saturday via its official X platform, the airline described as misleading a viral video claiming that passengers were left stranded without care or communication, stating that it failed to present the full context of the incident.
Air Peace explained that the affected flight encountered a bird strike, a situation it identified as a force majeure event in aviation, which necessitated the immediate grounding of the aircraft for mandatory safety inspections.
The airline stressed that it could not compromise on safety, noting that no aircraft would be cleared for operation without meeting required global aviation standards.
According to the statement, passengers were promptly informed of the development and the subsequent cancellation of the flight.
It added that arrangements were made to ensure their comfort, including hotel accommodation at the Hilton London Gatwick.
However, the carrier admitted that some operational challenges arose, particularly with baggage retrieval, which it linked to airport congestion and delays from ground handling service providers.
It clarified that baggage handling at international airports is the responsibility of designated third-party companies and not directly controlled by the airline.
Air Peace further rejected claims of neglect, maintaining that communication lines remained open throughout the disruption and that passengers were not abandoned at any point.
The airline also expressed concern over what it described as unwarranted criticism, noting that the flight captain provided regular updates to passengers during the incident.
While apologising for the inconvenience caused, the airline urged the public to understand the complexities of aviation operations, emphasising that disruptions often involve multiple stakeholders and strict safety protocols.
Reaffirming its commitment, Air Peace said it would continue to prioritise passenger safety and comfort while reviewing its procedures to better manage unforeseen operational challenges.