Air Peace has clarified the circumstances surrounding the disruption of its London (Gatwick) to Lagos service on May 1, 2026, attributing the incident to a bird strike that necessitated the grounding of the aircraft for safety checks.

The airline was responding to a viral video circulating on social media alleging that passengers were stranded without communication or adequate care.

In a statement issued by its management, Air Peace said the narrative did not accurately reflect the full circumstances surrounding the disruption, stressing that safety considerations informed its decision.

According to the airline, the aircraft involved experienced a bird strike—classified in aviation as a “force majeure” event—requiring immediate suspension of the flight to allow for comprehensive safety inspections in line with global standards.

“At Air Peace, safety is not negotiable, and under no circumstance would we operate an aircraft without the required safety clearance,” the statement said.

The airline stated that affected passengers were promptly informed of the development and the cancellation of the flight, adding that arrangements were made for their welfare, including hotel accommodation at the Hilton London Gatwick and necessary transit coordination.

However, it noted that additional operational challenges, including airport congestion and delays by ground handling services responsible for baggage retrieval, affected the speed at which some passengers were transferred to their hotels.

Air Peace explained that baggage handling at international airports is managed by designated ground handling companies operating under strict procedures, adding that it does not have direct control over such processes.

It maintained that passengers were not abandoned at any point, insisting that communication was sustained throughout the disruption and that all affected passengers were offered accommodation, with many already lodged while alternative flight arrangements are being finalised.

The airline acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the disruption but emphasised that aviation operations involve multiple stakeholders and strict regulatory compliance, particularly in situations involving unforeseen events such as bird strikes.

While recognising passengers’ right to express concerns, Air Peace described what it termed “ongoing negative hounding” of the airline over the incident as unwarranted, noting that timely announcements were made by the flight captain and that appropriate steps were taken to ensure passenger safety and care.

The airline reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high safety standards and improving service delivery during operational disruptions (AriseNews TV)

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