Travelers flying with Air Peace on Monday morning faced disruptions after heavy rainfall in Lagos and Port Harcourt forced the airline to delay several scheduled flights.
The airline confirmed the situation in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, explaining that the downpour affected operations across parts of its network. Air Peace apologized to passengers and urged for patience, emphasizing that passenger safety comes first, no matter the inconvenience caused.
“While weather conditions are beyond our control, safety remains our core commitment. We are working to manage the disruptions and ensure all customers reach their destinations safely,” the statement read.
This is not the first time in recent weeks that weather has impacted the airline’s schedule. On September 9, a similar wave of rainfall in Lagos also caused widespread delays.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has meanwhile stepped up warnings to airlines, reminding them of their obligations to stranded passengers. Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, stressed that carriers are required to provide hotel accommodation when delays or cancellations extend into the late night hours between 10 pm and 4 am.
Achimugu condemned a growing trend where airline staff disappear during flight disruptions, leaving regulatory officials to deal with upset passengers. He warned that such practices would no longer be tolerated and revealed that the federal government has directed the NCAA to publicly name and shame airlines that fail to comply with passenger protection rules.
“If an airline keeps passengers waiting until midnight before canceling a flight, then hotel accommodation must be provided. Failure to do so will attract the strictest sanctions,” he stated.
He added that Nigerian airlines must begin to prioritize global best practices, both for the dignity of passengers and for their own credibility. “Don’t you want to be recognized as world-class? If not for the passengers who rely on you, then at least for your pride,” Achimugu said.
The NCAA has now vowed to fully enforce its regulations, warning that any carrier exposing passengers or officials to unnecessary risks during disruptions will face maximum penalties.