Windshield crack caused air return, no passenger abandoned – Air Peace

Air Peace

By Dickson Omobola

Air Peace has countered claims that passengers on its Abuja–London service were abandoned after an air return on Friday, saying they were all taken care of.

The airline’s management, in a statement on Saturday, clarified that the air return occurred due to a windshield crack suspected to have been caused by a bird strike, and that the decision to return to base was in line with established aviation safety protocols.

According to the airline, flight options and hotel accommodation were provided to those who needed them.

The statement reads: “The attention of Air Peace has been drawn to comments circulating on social media suggesting that passengers on our Abuja–London service were abandoned following an air return on March 13, 2026.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no passenger was abandoned or left stranded at any point during the handling of the situation.

“The air return occurred due to a windshield crack suspected to be caused by a bird strike on our Abuja–London (Heathrow) flight. The decision to return to base was strictly in line with established aviation safety protocols.

“The aircraft safely returned to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where all passengers disembarked safely while our engineering team commenced the necessary technical checks on the aircraft.

“In line with our standard passenger care procedures and global aviation best practices, all affected passengers were well taken care of. We reiterate that no single passenger was left stranded.

“We immediately provided passengers with options of flying out the same day through our Lagos-Gatwick route or flying the following day through Abuja to London. Majority of the passengers were flown to Lagos free of charge to join our Lagos – Gatwick. Some preferred to fly the next day through Abuja.

“Hotel accommodation was provided to those who needed it. We therefore respectfully clarify that the characterisation of passengers being abandoned or stranded is inaccurate and wonder where this narrative came from.

“As a responsible airline, Air Peace maintains a strong and cooperative working relationship with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and remains fully committed to regulatory compliance, passenger protection, and operational transparency.

“Air Peace deeply appreciates the patience and understanding shown by our valued passengers and the traveling public during the disruption. We decry the deliberate bashing and persistent hounding of Air Peace for unfounded reasons.

“Safety remains the cornerstone of our operations, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards while delivering safe, reliable, and world-class air transport services across our domestic and international network.”