UK regulator reports Air Peace to NCAA over alleged safety violations

The NCAA’s spokesman, Michael Achimugu, stated today that the regulator had received some complaints from its British counterpart about Air Peace operations at Gatwick Airport in London.

Achimugu stated that the safety concerns were raised during a ramp inspection by the UKCAA.

It was discovered that two mandatory occurrence reports on Air Peace were sent to the UKCAA, who then transferred the complaints to its Nigerian counterpart.

The NCAA spokeswoman stated that the organization has emailed Air Peace to discuss the issues made concerning its operations at Gatwick.

Achimugu stated that the UKCAA’s objections were classified as less significant infractions rather than Level 1, which is for major safety noncompliance.

“The allegations do not imply that the airline can no longer operate at Gatwick Airport. The NCAA has reported the allegations to the airline. “The investigation is ongoing,” he stated.

When reached, Air Peace spokesperson Stanley Olisa simply stated that the airline would officially reply to the allegations.

On March 30, 2024, Air Peace reciprocated Nigeria’s loopsided Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the United Kingdom by beginning direct flight operations from Lagos to London’s Gatwick Airport.

On April 25, 2024, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo authorised the airline to add Abuja to its London route.

Many industry watchers have hailed the development, which encourages more domestic airlines to launch foreign flights to profitable destinations.

An international flight ticket from Lagos to London could cost up to N3.5 million, but with Air Peace offering a return economy class ticket for N1.2 million, foreign airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways have been forced to lower their prices in order to remain competitive.

The arrival of Air Peace on the London route has caused a price war, with foreign airlines now underpricing to stay in business. Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema had criticized international carriers for a “devilish conspiracy” to drive the airline out of the route.