Air Peace Addresses Gatwick-Lagos Flight Disruption

Air Peace, Nigeria's largest carrier, issued a statement regarding the disruption of its Gatwick-Lagos flight on May 1, 2026, clarifying that passengers were not abandoned. The airline explained that a bird strike necessitated an immediate grounding of the aircraft for safety checks, which is recognized as a force majeure event in aviation.

Air Peace emphasized that safety is non-negotiable and that they maintained communication with passengers throughout the incident. They arranged accommodations for affected passengers, including hotel stays at Hilton London Gatwick.

However, the airline acknowledged operational challenges, including delays in baggage retrieval due to airport congestion, which are outside their direct control. Air Peace rejected claims of abandoning passengers and reiterated its commitment to passenger welfare and safety.

The airline expressed concern over the criticism of its handling of the incident and pledged to continue reviewing its processes to improve service during unforeseen disruptions.