Air Peace has apologised to passengers affected by recent flight delays and cancellations, attributing the disruptions to a combination of adverse weather, technical issues, a bird strike, a false fire alarm and delays in aviation fuel availability.
The airline’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Oluwatoyin Olajide, said the management regretted the inconvenience caused by the disruptions and assured passengers that the airline was taking immediate steps to stabilise its operations and strengthen its contingency measures.
Olajide, in a statement, said the disruptions had affected some of the airline’s operations in recent days, acknowledging the frustration and inconvenience experienced by passengers.
According to her, one of the aircraft was grounded following an inadvertent false fire alarm, while adverse weather conditions caused diversions, delays and, in some cases, outright cancellations.
She added that another aircraft was grounded for several days following a bird strike, while technical issues requiring mandatory checks and maintenance also contributed to the disruptions.
Olajide further cited delays in the availability of aviation fuel in some instances as another factor that affected the airline’s operations.
“While some of these circumstances were beyond our immediate control, we acknowledge the impact they have had on our passengers.
“Our focus is on managing these challenges responsibly, minimising disruption and ensuring that our passengers are not left to bear the consequences of operational challenges”, she said.
The COO, however, stressed that the airline would not compromise safety in an attempt to maintain its flight schedule.
She said safety remained Air Peace’s highest priority, noting that an aircraft would not be released for service until the airline’s technical teams and relevant safety procedures had confirmed that it was safe to fly.
“Air Peace will never compromise safety in an attempt to keep to a schedule. In Air Peace, safety remains our highest priority. We will NEVER compromise the safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft”, Olajide said.
She explained that where weather, technical conditions, bird strikes or any other safety-related circumstances required an aircraft to remain on the ground, the decision would take precedence over operational convenience.
According to her, the airline is taking immediate measures to improve operational stability, strengthen contingency arrangements and enhance communication and responsiveness whenever unforeseen challenges occur.
Olajide assured passengers that Air Peace remained committed to providing safe, dependable and increasingly seamless air travel.
She also appealed for the patience and understanding of passengers who had been forced to wait, rearrange travel plans or endure disruptions as a result of the operational challenges.
“To every passenger who has been inconvenienced, kept waiting, had a journey disrupted or had to rearrange important plans because of these operational challenges, we sincerely apologise”, she said.
She added that the airline appreciated the confidence passengers continued to place in it and remained committed to delivering the quality, reliability and service experience they deserved.