Air Peace faced significant operational disruptions on December 26, 2025, following an incident where a conveyor belt struck one of its aircraft during the boarding process for a flight from Lagos to Accra.
Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the collision, which damaged the engine cover of the aircraft. Passengers had boarded when the incident occurred but were subsequently deboarded for safety reasons.
Achimugu noted that this specific aircraft was scheduled for multiple flights, and the damage would lead to widespread disruption for passengers traveling on those sectors. He expressed concerns about the financial repercussions for Air Peace, emphasizing that the airline would have to deal with backlash, potential refunds, and compensation despite not being at fault for the incident.
The NCAA spokesperson pointed out that this incident is part of a troubling pattern, citing a previous bird strike that cost the airline over three million dollars. He called for better training for ground handling personnel, suggesting that the inefficiency of some service providers is costing airlines reputational, financial, and operational damage.
Achimugu also stressed the importance of transparency, urging that the information provided to passengers on flight disruptions should be honest and clear. He expressed hope that sufficient insurance coverage would minimize the losses incurred by the airline due to this unfortunate event.
As a result, many passengers scheduled for the affected flight are likely to experience delays or cancellations, underscoring the need for improved communication within the aviation sector to avoid misunderstandings and frustration among travelers.
