Nigerian airline, Air Peace, has stated it will continue to cancel or delay flights when safety concerns arise, emphasizing that such decisions are never made lightly or for convenience.
This statement came in response to comments from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which recently cautioned the airline to align its operations with its available fleet amid complaints of frequent flight disruptions.
In a statement released on Friday, Air Peace reiterated that safety remains its top priority—not profit—despite having more aircraft in its fleet than it schedules for daily use.
“At Air Peace, safety is and will always be our foremost priority,” the airline stated. “Flight delays and cancellations are driven solely by safety concerns. We deeply empathize with our valued passengers who experience disruptions, but we will not compromise when it comes to protecting lives.”
Earlier the same day, NCAA Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo, urged Air Peace to enhance its domestic operations, citing repeated complaints from travelers over delays and cancellations. He reminded all operators to uphold regulatory standards and global aviation best practices.
Addressing these concerns, Air Peace clarified that it never cancels flights frivolously, and operational decisions are made only when necessary to meet safety benchmarks.
“If weather, technical, or operational conditions fall short of acceptable safety standards, we will not operate that flight,” the airline affirmed. “We do not regret making such decisions when human lives are involved.”
Responding to suggestions that the airline may be overextending its operations, Air Peace countered that it has more aircraft than are used in daily scheduling.
“It is important to correct the impression that our operations outpace our available fleet. In reality, we have more aircraft than are currently in use,” the statement noted. “Therefore, our delays or cancellations are not due to a shortage of planes.”
Air Peace concluded by emphasizing that operational challenges faced by airlines are often beyond their control, and every decision is made with passengers’ best interests and safety in mind.
“We will never cancel flights without just cause, nor will we compromise safety for convenience, speed, or profit. When we do cancel or delay flights, we are often the ones bearing the greater financial loss.”
