Air Peace has reacted to reports citing a preliminary Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) document that indicted its crew for drug and alcohol use.
The airline’s response was contained in a statement signed by its management and posted on its official X account on Friday.
On Friday, NAIJAONPOINT reported that the NSIB indicted an Air Peace pilot and co-pilot for allegedly consuming hard drugs and alcohol before the Port Harcourt runway excursion incident.
According to the report, the crew tested positive for the substances, as contained in a preliminary document signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji.
However, Air Peace rejected the claims. Its statement read in part: “Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) currently circulating online and in the media regarding the incident involving one of our aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.
“We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident.”*
The airline described the report as misleading, stressing that it places the “utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance.”
Air Peace also highlighted its internal controls: “Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before flight provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!”
Providing details of disciplinary action after the Port Harcourt incident, the airline disclosed that the captain of the affected flight was sanctioned.
“The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty till date for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot — but not for testing positive to the breathalyser test, as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date.”
Air Peace, however, defended the co-pilot, saying he acted professionally: “Contrary to reports in the media, the First Officer (Co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active flying duties with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“The NCAA cleared him. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties.”
The airline further stated that if the captain’s test result eventually turns out positive, it would increase the frequency of crew alcohol and drug testing. It also emphasised its commitment to retraining and tighter monitoring.
“Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be overemphasised. We will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy.”
Reassuring its passengers and the Nigerian public, Air Peace stressed: “Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace.”
The July 13, 2025 incident reportedly involved a go-around manoeuvre initiated by the co-pilot after the captain allegedly failed to follow standard landing procedures. Media reports have suggested that alcohol consumption may have been a factor, citing a breathalyser test