KEY POINTS

• Air Peace denies NSIB drug and alcohol claims.

• Airline emphasizes strict safety and compliance policies.

• Co-pilot cleared by NCAA, captain grounded for procedure breach.

Air Peace has rejected media reports tied to a preliminary Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) document. The reports referenced an incident involving one of its aircraft at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.

The airline, often described as Nigeria’s flagship private carrier, said the reports distorted facts about the aircraft and crew. Its response came in a statement signed by management and published Friday on the company’s official X account.

Airline insists on strong safety record

According to the NSIB’s preliminary report, shared with PUNCH Online, both pilot and co-pilot allegedly tested positive.

The findings accused the crew of consuming hard drugs and alcohol before the aircraft’s runway excursion in Port Harcourt. Air Peace rejected these claims, describing them as misleading and inconsistent with its operational standards and safety protocols.

According to the report, the crew’s tests were conducted after the incident, prompting widespread media coverage. Air Peace rejected the claims, emphasizing it had not received any official communication from the NSIB confirming such findings.

“Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the NSIB currently circulating online and in the media regarding the incident,” the airline said. “We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident.”

The airline stressed that it prioritizes safety, transparency, and compliance, describing the report as misleading. Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests for all crew, with stricter rules than the eight-hour pre-flight limit mandated by regulations.

Crew professionalism remains a focus

Following the incident, the captain involved was grounded for failing to follow Crew Resource Management principles and disregarding standard go-around procedures, not due to any positive breathalyzer result, which NSIB had not communicated to the airline. The co-pilot, who executed a proper go-around, has been reinstated with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

According to Punch, Air Peace highlighted that any future positive test results will trigger increased testing frequency. The airline also plans enhanced crew training, stricter monitoring, and more rigorous Fitness-for-Duty checks to prevent policy breaches.

The July 13 incident, which reportedly involved a go-around initiated by the co-pilot, reinforces the carrier’s zero-tolerance safety stance. Air Peace reassured passengers that its operational standards remain aligned with global best practices and that safety will never be compromised.