Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s biggest airlines, has told its passengers that some of its flights were delayed on Tuesday morning, September 9, because of the heavy rainfall in Lagos State.
In an official statement released by the airline’s spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, through the company’s social media account on X (formerly Twitter), the airline explained that the bad weather had disrupted its flight operations. The statement read: “Dear Esteemed Customer, due to the heavy rainfall in Lagos this morning, some of our flights across different routes will be delayed.
The airline also pleaded with passengers to be patient and understanding. It reminded everyone that safety is more important than speed when it comes to flying. The message continued: While weather is something we cannot control and safety is always our top priority, we ask for your understanding as we try to manage the situation and make sure you get to your destinations safely.
Air Peace further reassured its customers that it is fully committed to keeping the highest safety standards for both passengers and crew members. It added: At Air Peace, safety is not just a priority, it is part of our core values. We will continue to do everything possible to ensure safe travel. Thank you for your trust and support.
This update from Air Peace came shortly after the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) gave a strong warning to all airlines in the country. The NCAA, through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said on Monday that it will start naming and shaming airlines that do not follow aviation rules, especially when it comes to unnecessary cancellations and delays.
According to him, passengers must be treated fairly. For example, if a flight is cancelled or delayed late at night,between 10:00pm and 4:00am, the airline is responsible for providing hotel accommodation for stranded passengers. This means passengers should not be left to suffer or sleep at the airport.
Achimugu also warned that the NCAA will no longer accept situations where airline staff disappear during crises, leaving angry and frustrated passengers to be handled only by NCAA officials. He stressed that airlines must take responsibility for their customers and not abandon them in difficult situations. He further added: If an airline keeps passengers waiting until midnight and then cancels the flight, the airline must pay for hotel accommodation. Any airline that refuses will face serious penalties.
The NCAA has made it clear that it will now strictly enforce aviation rules and punish airlines that fail to comply.
