Air Peace has addressed concerns surrounding the disruption of its London Gatwick Airport to Lagos service on May 1, 2026, dismissing claims that passengers were abandoned during the incident. In a statement released via its official social media platform, the airline explained that the disruption was caused by a bird strike, which forced the immediate grounding of the aircraft for mandatory safety inspections in line with international aviation regulations.
The airline stressed that passenger safety remains its highest priority, insisting that no aircraft would be cleared for operation without undergoing the required technical checks. Air Peace said affected passengers were promptly informed of the cancellation and provided accommodation at Hilton London Gatwick while alternative travel arrangements were being made.
The carrier acknowledged that operational difficulties, including airport congestion and delays by ground handling service providers, slowed baggage retrieval for some passengers. It clarified that baggage operations at international airports are handled by third-party ground service companies and are therefore outside the airline’s direct control. Rejecting allegations of neglect, Air Peace maintained that communication was sustained throughout the disruption and that all necessary welfare measures were provided for affected travellers.
The airline also criticised what it described as unfair backlash over what it termed a safety-related force majeure event, noting that passengers received regular updates from the flight crew. While apologising for the inconvenience caused, Air Peace reaffirmed its commitment to improving its response procedures during unforeseen operational disruptions and pledged to continue prioritising passenger safety and comfort.
Source: https://punchng.com/
