Air Peace has refuted media reports on a preliminary statement by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) regarding an incident involving one of its aircraft in Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.
In a statement issued on Friday, the airline said it has not received any official findings from the NSIB, more than a month after the incident and the immediate post-incident alcohol tests conducted on its crew.
The NSIB had earlier disclosed that two Air Peace pilots tested positive for alcohol and cannabis after a runway excursion at Port Harcourt International Airport. According to a preliminary report signed by the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the Boeing 737 veered off Runway 21 following an unstabilised approach.
Air Peace, however, insisted none of its crew members tested positive for alcohol or drugs.
“Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) currently circulating online and in the media regarding the incident involving one of our aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025. We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings,” the airline said.
It stressed that its crew tested negative during breathalyser screening and that it enforces a stricter alcohol use policy than regulations require, in addition to frequent drug and alcohol checks.
The airline explained that the captain of the affected flight was grounded and removed from duty for failing to follow Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and ignoring a go-around advisory from the co-pilot. The first officer, who made the go-around call, has since been reinstated with clearance from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“Contrary to media reports, the First Officer has resumed active flying duties with full NCAA approval. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, he would not have been cleared,” Air Peace said.
It added that while disciplinary action remains in place for the captain, there has been no confirmation from NSIB of any positive alcohol test result.
Air Peace reaffirmed its commitment to global safety standards, enhanced crew training, fitness-for-duty checks, and stronger internal monitoring, assuring passengers and the public that “safety will never be compromised.”
