The sudden cancellation of many flights by Air Peace resulted in the stranding of dozens of passengers, including expats, children, and families, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
These passengers were left there for the entire night. In the departure area, passengers were compelled to sleep on chairs made of cold and rigid aluminum while traveling.
The videos and images show dissatisfied passengers organizing protests against the airline for its incompetence. While some people were sitting helplessly, others were standing up in rage and demanding answers.
There has been a recent spate of cancellations that have plagued Air Peace, which has resulted in a conflict between the airline and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
This circumstance has exacerbated the animosity that passengers have been feeling against the airline.
Despite the fact that the NCAA has issued a warning to the airline to stop its pattern of repeatedly postponing and canceling flights, Air Peace asserts that the actions are motivated by safety concerns and are in the best interest of the customers.
Dr. Kunle Ashimi, who serves as the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Ogun State, was one of the individuals who encountered difficulties at the airport.
Shortly before this, the airline had said that safety concerns constitute the primary factor in flight cancellations and delays. Air Peace made this announcement in response to concerns from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, which implied that the airline was running more flights than it had planes for.
It reads, “At Air Peace, safety is and will always remain our cardinal priority. These delays and cancellations are dictated by safety considerations. We fully empathise with our esteemed passengers who experience discomfort, inconvenience, or disrupted plans due to flight delays or cancellations.
“However, we do not regret taking operational decisions rooted in the protection of human lives and in strict adherence to safety standards. If weather conditions, technical parameters, or operational standards fall short of what is safe, we will not operate that flight.”