Air Peace has strongly dismissed a misleading video circulating on social media regarding the boarding process of passengers on flight P47123 from Abuja to Lagos.
The video, which has been shared widely since Friday, December 20, 2024, caused a stir online, with some viewers accusing the airline of mismanagement and poor handling of its passengers.
In a statement issued by Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, the Head of Corporate Communications, the airline described the claims in the video as “false, mischievous, and misleading.” The company stated that the video was deliberately circulated by faceless individuals with the intention to cause confusion among the public and distract both the airline and its stakeholders, including regulators.
The video depicted scenes at the Abuja airport where passengers appeared frustrated and overcrowded at the boarding gate, leading to accusations of disorder and poor organisation.
However, Air Peace explained that the situation arose due to unforeseen weather conditions that caused flight delays. According to the airline, the delays were primarily caused by harmattan-induced haze and fog, which are common at this time of year and severely limit visibility, impacting flight operations nationwide.
On the day in question, Air Peace was forced to make special arrangements to evacuate passengers. “We deployed three aircraft to Abuja to ensure that all passengers were evacuated, despite the challenging weather,” the statement clarified.
As the boarding process began, however, Air Peace explained that passengers, eager to board, overwhelmed both the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and boarding officers. This led to a chaotic scene at the boarding gate, where passengers rushed to the airside, bypassing the designated lines.
Duty managers and ramp officials were forced to step in, setting up barricades in front of the motorised step to differentiate passengers for their respective flights. This quick decision was made to prevent further confusion and ensure that passengers boarded in an orderly fashion.
In the statement, Air Peace made it clear that while they understood the frustrations of the passengers, they strongly condemned the misinformation being spread. “We empathise with you, our loyal customers, but we condemn in the strongest terms the misinformation, insults, and deliberate falsehoods in the video,” the airline asserted.
The airline was also quick to emphasise that the situation portrayed in the video was not reflective of their usual operations or their values. Air Peace’s core mission is to maintain the safety and comfort of its passengers, and the airline reminded the public of its commitment to high safety standards.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is our utmost priority,” the airline reiterated. “At Air Peace, safety is not just a priority; it is a fundamental precondition for all our activities.”
Air Peace strongly urged the public to disregard the video, stressing that there was no truth in the allegations made. The airline maintained that despite the weather-related delays, it had taken all necessary measures to ensure that passengers were evacuated and safely boarded as quickly as possible.
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience these delays may have caused you,” the airline concluded. “We appreciate your understanding and patience during this period and remain committed to maintaining safe and timely operations.”
The airline also encouraged passengers to reach out directly to their customer service centre for any further questions or assistance via their contact email: [email protected].
The video, which quickly went viral, failed to show the complete picture of the situation. It focused only on the disorderly moments at the boarding gate, without explaining the complex factors that led to the delays.
Air Peace pointed out that the harmattan-induced haze and fog were not just a minor inconvenience but a significant factor that affected the entire aviation industry. Reduced visibility led to delays across various airlines, not just Air Peace. These weather conditions are common during the harmattan season, especially in northern Nigeria, where fog can severely impair flight operations.
“Flight delays and cancellations are sometimes inevitable due to weather conditions, and this situation was no different,” Air Peace explained.
