May 02, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, has insisted that passengers affected by the disruption of its London Gatwick–Lagos flight on May 1, 2026, were not abandoned, stating that hotel accommodation and welfare support were promptly provided following a bird strike incident that forced the cancellation of the service.
The airline also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to passenger safety, stressing that all decisions taken during the disruption were guided by strict international aviation safety standards.
In a statement issued by the airline’s management on Friday, Air Peace dismissed circulating social media claims alleging that passengers were stranded without communication or adequate care following the cancellation of the flight.
According to the airline, the disruption was caused by a bird strike involving the aircraft scheduled to operate the Gatwick–Lagos route, an occurrence it described as a recognised “force majeure” event within the global aviation industry.
The airline explained that the aircraft had to be immediately grounded to allow for comprehensive technical and safety inspections in compliance with global aviation regulations.
“Safety is not negotiable, and under no circumstance would we operate an aircraft without the required safety clearance,” the airline stated.
Air Peace said affected passengers were promptly informed about the incident and the resulting cancellation, adding that arrangements were immediately initiated to ensure their comfort and welfare.
“At no point were passengers abandoned. Communication was maintained with all affected passengers, and every effort was made to ensure their welfare throughout the disruption,” the airline stated.
The carrier disclosed that all affected passengers were offered hotel accommodation at the Hilton London Gatwick Hotel, while transit coordination and other support services were also provided as arrangements continued for the deployment of another aircraft to complete the service to Lagos.
Air Peace, however, acknowledged that additional operational constraints emerged during the process, including airport congestion and delays linked to baggage retrieval operations handled by designated ground handling service providers at the airport.
The airline explained that these factors affected the speed at which some passengers were transferred to their hotels because checked baggage had to be retrieved in line with established airport and regulatory procedures.
According to the airline, baggage handling at international airports is managed by independent ground handling companies operating under strict protocols, stressing that airlines do not exercise direct operational control over those processes.
The company reiterated that communication channels remained open throughout the disruption and confirmed that passengers who accepted the hotel accommodation offer had already been settled at the Hilton London Gatwick.
Air Peace also appealed for public understanding, explaining that aviation operations involve multiple stakeholders, layered safety procedures and strict regulatory compliance, especially in situations involving force majeure incidents such as bird strikes.
The airline expressed concern over what it described as sustained criticism directed at the carrier despite the safety-driven nature of the incident and the proactive measures taken to communicate with passengers and provide care.
It further noted that the Captain of the affected flight made timely announcements and updates to passengers throughout the incident.
Reaffirming its dedication to customer satisfaction and operational safety, Air Peace said it would continue reviewing and strengthening its internal processes to improve service delivery during unforeseen disruptions.
The airline thanked affected passengers and the wider flying public for their patience, understanding and continued support.
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