Chaos erupted at London Heathrow Airport as Nigeria-bound Air Peace passengers became violent after an overnight delay. The flight, scheduled to depart at 9:20 p.m., was delayed to 10:20 p.m., and passengers were left without updates, leading to frustration and anger. The operational manager was almost attacked by angry passengers.
The airline attributed the delay to technical issues and claimed passengers were properly informed and accommodated. However, passengers described the experience as chaotic, with long periods of silence from airline staff fueling confusion and anger. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched an investigation into the incident.
According to passengers, the flight was initially delayed to 10:20 p.m., and then airline officials stopped providing updates. “Around 3 a.m., we were evacuated to a hotel. They later sent an email apologising, saying that the time to leave is now 15:00 (3:00 p.m.) on Sunday,” one passenger said.
The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed that the regulator had activated its Consumer Protection Department to investigate the situation. “Appropriate action will be taken as usual based on the facts of the incident as enshrined in Part 19 of the NCAA regulations 2023,” Achimugu said.
Air Peace has defended its safety record, stating that operational decisions are dictated by safety considerations and not fleet shortage. The airline cited an incident where an aircraft sustained engine damage due to a bird strike, leading to delays and cancellations.
The NCAA has summoned Air Peace to its headquarters for an urgent meeting to address the disruption and other operational concerns. The regulator emphasized that abandoning paying passengers will not be tolerated and that all operators must meet strict standards.
