Why Air Peace is making news

Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace Limited, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the disruption of its London Gatwick–Lagos service on May 1, 2026, insisting that passengers were not abandoned and that safety considerations informed its actions. Air Peace has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in Nigeria.

Key facts

• Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace Limited, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the disruption of its London Gatwick–Lagos service on May 1, 2026, insisting that passengers were not abandoned and that safety considerations informed its actions.
• Air Peace clarifies its Gatwick-Lagos flight disruption was due to a bird strike.
• The Nation Newspaper Funke Akindele condemns Air Peace over hours-long Gatwick airport delay.
• Filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has criticised Air Peace for its handling of a flight delay that left passengers stranded for hours at London’s Gatwick Airport on Friday.
• West Africa’s largest airline, Air Peace, Friday, came under fire on X, formerly Twitter, over what passengers describe as poor communication by the carrier.

What we know

Going deeper, Air Peace clarifies its Gatwick-Lagos flight disruption was due to a bird strike.

On the substance, the Nation Newspaper Funke Akindele condemns Air Peace over hours-long Gatwick airport delay.

Beyond the headlines, Filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has criticised Air Peace for its handling of a flight delay that left passengers stranded for hours at London’s Gatwick Airport on Friday.

More precisely, West Africa’s largest airline, Air Peace, Friday, came under fire on X, formerly Twitter, over what passengers describe as poor communication by the carrier.

It is worth noting that Outrage as Air Peace passengers stranded in London.

By the numbers

“Passengers (including elderly people) have been stranded since 6:30AM at London Gatwick Airport with no proper communication.

On a related note, the criticism followed complaints by Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, who called out the airline for allegedly leaving passengers stranded at London Gatwick Airport without proper updates since 6:30am.

Going deeper, E-Money gifts Carter Efe N50m for beating Portable in celebrity boxing.

On the substance, Akindele, who was among those affected, said the disruption began around 6:30 am.

What they're saying

“Baggage handling at international airports is managed by designated ground handling companies and as such, Air Peace does not exercise direct control over these processes,” the statement read.

“We encountered additional operational constraints, including airport congestion and delays from ground handling services responsible for baggage retrieval,” it explained.

“We find the ongoing negative hounding of our airline over a safety-driven, force majeure incident to be shocking and unwarranted,” it stated, adding that the flight captain provided timely updates to passengers.

The wider context

On a related note, the airline denies abandoning passengers, citing safety as its top priori.

Going deeper, Air Peace maintained that passengers were informed promptly about the incident and subsequent cancellation.

On the substance, while acknowledging the inconvenience caused, Air Peace appealed for understanding.

Beyond the headlines, Air Peace responded directly to Akindele on X, expressing regret for the inconvenience and stating that safety and operational efficiency remain priorities.

More precisely, Akindele, in a post shared on X, wrote: “Air Peace, this is unacceptable.

The bottom line

• The Nation Newspaper Funke Akindele condemns Air Peace over hours-long Gatwick airport delay.
• The airline denies abandoning passengers, citing safety as its top priori.
• While acknowledging the inconvenience caused, Air Peace appealed for understanding.