Air Peace has strongly refuted media reports citing a purported preliminary report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) over the July 13, 2025 Port Harcourt incident involving one of its aircraft, describing the claims as misleading, premature, and unsubstantiated.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, the airline said it has never received any official communication from NSIB more than a month after the incident, despite the fact that alcohol testing of the crew was conducted within an hour of the event.
“It is disturbing that such reports are being circulated in the media without any formal notification to the airline concerned. We cannot respond to findings we have not been officially presented with,” Air Peace declared.
On the Captain’s Dismissal
The airline clarified that the captain of the flight was dismissed not because of any alleged alcohol test, but for violating Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and ignoring standard go-around procedures, despite the co-pilot’s advice.
“To date, NSIB has never communicated any alcohol test result to us. If indeed the captain tested positive, that information has not been officially transmitted. Our action was based strictly on professional failings, not on any unconfirmed test outcome,” the airline stressed.
On the Co-Pilot’s Clearance
Air Peace also dismissed as false reports suggesting that the First Officer (co-pilot) was implicated in substance use. According to the airline, the co-pilot has since been reinstated with full clearance from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“If the First Officer had tested positive for drugs or alcohol, there is no way the NCAA would have cleared him to return to flight duties. Suggesting otherwise is reckless reporting that undermines professionalism,” the airline noted.
Direct Challenge to NSIB and Media
Taking a firmer stance, Air Peace accused both the NSIB and sections of the media of creating unnecessary panic and tarnishing the reputation of the airline without due process.
“We are deeply concerned that unverified claims are being presented to the public as facts. Aviation safety issues are too critical to be sensationalized. We expect NSIB, as a professional body, to follow due process and formally communicate findings before they leak to the press,” the airline charged.
Commitment to Safety
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol, Air Peace stated that it already conducts routine and random screenings on its crew, a policy stricter than the regulations require.
The airline further announced plans to:
- Intensify Enhanced Crew Resource Management (CRM) Training
- Strengthen Fitness-for-Duty checks
- Expand Internal Monitoring Systems to prevent any breach of safety standards
Concluding, Air Peace reassured passengers and the Nigerian public that safety remains its highest priority.
“Air Peace has maintained one of the strongest safety records in the industry. We will not allow unsubstantiated reports to undermine the trust we have built with our passengers. Our message is clear—safety at Air Peace is never negotiable,” the statement read.
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