Air Peace Deploys Additional Aircraft to Ease Flight Disruptions Nationwide

0
32

Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, has announced the deployment of three dedicated standby aircraft to reduce the impact of flight delays and cancellations on passengers. The move comes amid growing public concerns about the frequency of disruptions in the nation’s aviation sector.

Speaking at a media briefing at the airline’s Lagos headquarters, Allen Onyema, Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, stated that the airline has increased its operational buffer from one to three aircraft, positioning the airline to respond swiftly to technical issues and unforeseen circumstances affecting its scheduled flights.

“We now have three aircraft parked at strategic locations to serve as backup in the event that any operational aircraft develops a minor or major fault—be it bird strike, weather, or technical problems,” Onyema explained.



While acknowledging the inconveniences flight disruptions cause, Onyema was quick to clarify that many of the delays and cancellations are due to factors beyond the control of airlines, such as adverse weather conditions, runway closures, and bird strikes—issues common in Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.

“There’s a lot the public doesn’t know. Sometimes, we are blamed for issues we do not control. But we are addressing this by investing in redundancies that improve our ability to respond promptly,” he noted.



The CEO also pointed out that Air Peace often appears to have more delay complaints because of its high number of daily operations. With over 100 scheduled flights per day, a 30% disruption rate would equate to 30–35 flights affected—much higher than smaller operators that fly fewer routes.

Air Peace currently operates 49 aircraft, including 36 purchased units and four on wet lease, making it one of the largest privately-owned carriers in West Africa. In a bold expansion drive, the airline plans to launch intercontinental services to the Caribbean, China, and India by September 2025.

“We’ve already conducted successful operations to St. Kitts and Jamaica and will soon expand into China and India,” Onyema said, noting the acquisition of more Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft to support these new routes.



The airline’s commitment to connecting Nigeria with global destinations aligns with its broader vision of national branding and economic integration through aviation.

“Nigerians in the diaspora are asking for this connection. Air Peace is not just an airline—it’s a symbol of national pride and potential,” Onyema added.


Onyema used the briefing to encourage Nigerians to embrace Air Peace as a homegrown brand worthy of support, stressing that local airlines must be given the same regard often accorded to foreign carriers.

“Nigeria is being unfairly stigmatised abroad, and part of changing that narrative involves supporting indigenous businesses that are taking risks and creating global impact,” Onyema said passionately.


Flight delays and cancellations have plagued Nigeria’s aviation sector for years, with infrastructure limitations, regulatory hurdles, and logistics challenges being central culprits. Air Peace’s proactive strategy to improve service continuity comes at a time when the demand for reliable domestic and international air travel is rising post-pandemic.

Aviation analysts say the move by Air Peace to deploy backup aircraft is a game-changing approach that could set a new standard for operational resilience in the country.

With this bold step to preemptively address flight disruptions, Air Peace is not only reaffirming its position as Nigeria’s most ambitious airline but also reinforcing its customer-first commitment. As the airline prepares for global expansion and stronger regional connectivity, stakeholders are hopeful that better operational strategies, like buffer aircraft, will reshape public perception and boost trust in Nigerian aviation.

Leave a Reply