NCAA Backs Air Peace Over London Flight Delay, Says Safety Decision Was Necessary
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, has defended Air Peace following the disruption of one of its London operations, stating that the airline acted appropriately by grounding the aircraft after a technical fault was detected.
Speaking during the NCAA Digital Transformation Initiative event in Lagos, Najomo dismissed allegations that passengers were abandoned in London, stressing that operational delays and cancellations are common within the global aviation industry.
The controversy followed the cancellation of a London-to-Lagos flight after engineers reportedly discovered a technical issue on the aircraft shortly after passengers had disembarked. According to Air Peace, the decision to suspend the flight was taken in line with international aviation safety procedures, while arrangements were made to provide another aircraft for affected passengers.
Reacting to public criticism, Najomo maintained that the airline prioritised passenger safety by consulting aircraft manufacturer Boeing, which advised that the aircraft should not continue operations until the fault was resolved.
He explained that passengers were accommodated in hotels close to the airport while awaiting an alternative flight and insisted the situation should not be described as passengers being stranded.
Najomo also argued that similar disruptions occur frequently among major international airlines without attracting the same level of backlash, noting that technical faults are an unavoidable reality in aviation operations worldwide.
He called on Nigerians to support indigenous carriers, adding that the NCAA would always hold airlines accountable when necessary but believes Air Peace handled the situation responsibly in this case.
The NCAA boss further pointed to operational challenges affecting airlines globally, including rising aviation fuel costs and the impact of international conflicts on the aviation sector. According to him, the Federal Government has introduced support measures for domestic airlines, including debt relief initiatives and discussions with fuel marketers aimed at reducing the cost of Jet A1 fuel.
Najomo disclosed that despite mounting operational expenses, several Nigerian airlines have avoided increasing ticket fares, opting instead for internal cost-cutting measures.
He also confirmed that the NCAA’s digital transformation programme is expected to officially go live on July 2, 2026, after ongoing internal testing of the platform.
Benita Ibrahim
