Following a runway incursion incident involving an Air Peace aircraft at the Port Harcourt International Airport, aviation stakeholders have called on the airline to strengthen its pilot re-training programmes to enhance safety protocols, particularly during poor weather conditions.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning, involved Air Peace Flight P47190, a Boeing 737 with registration number 5N-BQQ, which departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and landed at Port Harcourt around 7:45 a.m. However, upon touchdown on runway 03, the aircraft overshot the landing strip, prompting immediate emergency response.

In a swift statement released by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Onah, confirmed that all 127 passengers on board the flight were safely evacuated without injury. “We are relieved to report that there were no casualties. The evacuation process was executed professionally and efficiently,” she stated.

The incident has reignited debate about the need for improved pilot preparedness and response mechanisms, particularly during landing operations in adverse weather conditions.


The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), through its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, issued a formal reaction from Port Harcourt, praising the professionalism of the flight crew but urging proactive steps from the airline going forward.

“We commend the pilot’s skill in averting a potential disaster, especially given the complexities of landing a Boeing 737 at speeds between 220 and 265 km/h under rainy and slippery runway conditions,” Dr. Fyneface noted. He emphasized that while no human is infallible, aviation safety must remain uncompromising.

“Rather than apportioning blame, we urge Air Peace to intensify its pilot retraining programmes. Enhanced vigilance, continuous simulation exercises, and deployment of advanced landing support systems should be institutionalized—especially during the rainy season,” he added.


Landing during heavy rainfall introduces additional variables such as reduced runway traction, visibility impairment, and hydroplaning risks—all of which demand top-tier precision and experience from flight crews. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), over 25% of runway excursions globally occur during wet conditions.

FAAN, in its advisory issued shortly after the incident, warned passengers of potential delays into the Port Harcourt airport due to temporary runway inspections and cleanup operations. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has since launched a formal investigation into the runway overshoot to determine the root causes and provide recommendations for future prevention.


Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest domestic carrier, has generally maintained a favorable safety record since its inception. However, this latest incident underscores the delicate balance between rapid operational growth and maintaining world-class safety standards.

The airline has yet to issue a detailed technical explanation for the overshoot but reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and cooperation with aviation regulators.

Aviation safety analyst, Captain Benjamin Dogo, noted that while Air Peace has grown impressively in terms of fleet size and route expansion, “sustaining that growth requires sustained investment in recurrent training, especially in human factors and decision-making under stress.”

He added that “runway excursions are preventable. Modern cockpit training and stringent approach monitoring systems, including autobrake usage and runway condition awareness, should be part of recurrent simulator sessions for all pilots.”


Dr. Fyneface concluded his remarks with a prayer of gratitude: “We thank the Creator for sparing lives in this incident and hope the airline management will use this as a turning point to elevate its training culture.”

As the aviation industry enters a high-traffic season and Nigeria continues to experience heavy rainfall, safety remains a paramount concern. Stakeholders are now calling for a collaborative approach involving airlines, regulators, and civil society to uphold and exceed global aviation safety benchmarks.