Air Peace Defends Flight Cancellations, Says NCAA Ignored Safety Facts

Air Peace Defends Flight Cancellations, Says NCAA Ignored Safety Facts

Air Peace flight delays have surged past 100, but the airline says every decision is driven by one thing—passenger safety. Responding to mounting pressure from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Air Peace insists it will continue to delay or cancel flights if safety standards aren’t met, even if it frustrates passengers or hurts its bottom line.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) recently warned Air Peace to improve its domestic flight schedule after a spike in customer complaints. But the airline has pushed back strongly, making it clear that safety will always come before speed, comfort, or profit.

“We will never sacrifice safety for convenience, comfort, speed, or profit,” the airline said in a statement that was both firm and emotional. “And if similar situations arise again, we will make the same decisions, because we are not ready to compromise safety.”

At the heart of the issue are reports of over 100 delayed or canceled flights in recent weeks. While some passengers voiced frustration, Air Peace explained that it only makes such decisions when conditions—such as weather or aircraft checks—demand it.

“If weather conditions, technical parameters, or operational standards fall short of what is safe, we will not operate that flight,” the airline said. This declaration sends a strong message: human lives matter more than keeping a schedule.

The NCAA had accused airlines like Air Peace of biting off more than they can chew. It urged carriers to align their schedules with the number of available aircraft and follow global best practices. The authority labelled the disruptions “chronic” and hinted at poor planning.

But Air Peace sees things differently.

“While we understand the spirit of the NCAA’s recommendation, we must clearly state that Air Peace has more aircraft available than are currently rostered for daily operations,” the company said. “Any delays or cancellations we’ve experienced have absolutely nothing to do with fleet shortage.”

This public pushback reflects a deeper clash between regulators and operators. One side wants tighter compliance and better customer service. The other argues that real-time decisions about flights aren’t always predictable, and the stakes—passenger lives—are too high to take risks.

Air Peace described the NCAA’s comments as “insinuations” and challenged the idea that the airline is overstretched or mismanaged. Instead, it painted a picture of a company making difficult, costly choices to ensure safety stays front and center.

“We do not cancel any flight for the fun of it. It is not our policy to delay or cancel flights without due cause, and when we do, we are often the greater loser financially,” the airline said.

Indeed, flight delays hurt the airline’s bottom line. They also damage trust. But Air Peace believes those costs are worth it if even one life is spared from a rushed or unsafe takeoff.

The tension reflects wider issues in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Airlines are still recovering from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising fuel costs, aging fleets, and unpredictable weather make operations harder by the day. Add regulatory pressure, and the margin for error shrinks even more.

Still, Air Peace insists that each delay is a decision rooted in principle, not carelessness.

“If safety demands it, we will delay,” the airline repeated. “That is non-negotiable.”

Passengers may not always agree, especially when left stranded at airports. But the airline is betting on trust, not just timetables. It’s telling its customers, loud and clear: we’re looking out for your life first.

In the end, that message may set it apart in a crowded, turbulent industry.