The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has summoned Air Peace over an alleged series of unexplained operational disruptions that reportedly affected passengers on one of the airline’s international flights.
The development was disclosed by NCAA’s spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, in a post on his official X handle, following complaints from passengers regarding the airline’s Heathrow–Abuja service.
According to the aviation regulator, the action followed reports from passengers on the airline’s Heathrow–Abuja flight who were allegedly rerouted through Gatwick, Lagos and Abuja before eventually being stranded in Lagos. The situation reportedly occurred after the aircraft made an air return due to a cracked windshield.
The Authority noted that the incident, alongside complaints relating to delayed refunds, compensation, and the provision of first need assistance to affected passengers, prompted the activation of its Consumer Protection Department.
NCAA warned that it would not tolerate any situation where paying passengers are abandoned by airlines, stressing the importance of adherence to passenger protection rules in the sector.
The regulator reaffirmed its continued support for domestic carriers, including Air Peace, but emphasised that all operators must comply with the highest operational and service standards in their dealings with passengers.
NCAA further disclosed that it would conduct a full investigation into the reported disruptions. It noted that appropriate regulatory action would be taken based on the findings in line with the provisions of Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which outlines passenger rights and the obligations of airlines.
The Authority maintained that as the sole regulatory body for civil aviation in Nigeria, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority remains committed to protecting the rights and interests of all aviation stakeholders.
