ABUJAÂ
Air Peace has officially debunked social media reports claiming that passengers on its Abuja-London service were abandoned following an emergency “air return” on Friday, March 13, 2026.Â
In a press statement released via its verified X handle yesterday, the airline management clarified that the flight was aborted due to a windshield crack, suspected to have been caused by a bird strike. The airline maintained that the decision to return to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was a proactive safety measure strictly in line with established aviation protocols.
The aircraft landed safely in Abuja, where all passengers disembarked without injury while the engineering team commenced technical checks. Addressing rumors of stranded travelers, Air Peace highlighted that it immediately provided affected passengers with options to fly out the same day through its Lagos-Gatwick route or to depart the following day from Abuja. The airline confirmed that the majority of passengers were flown to Lagos free of charge to join the alternative flight, while others who preferred to wait until the next day were provided with hotel accommodations.
Management expressed deep concern over the “deliberate bashing” and “persistent hounding” of the airline on social media, labeling the narrative of abandoned passengers as entirely inaccurate. Air Peace reiterated its strong working relationship with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and its unwavering commitment to passenger protection and operational transparency. The statement concluded by thanking the traveling public for their patience and reaffirming that safety remains the cornerstone of the airline’s domestic and international operations.
