The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) has raised concerns over alleged aviation safety violations by Nigerian carrier, Air Peace. This development comes just three months after Air Peace began its maiden Lagos-London route and amidst ongoing disputes between the airline and the UK CAA.
Since its inaugural flight to the United Kingdom, Air Peace has faced continuous scrutiny from the UK CAA, which the airline claims is a politically motivated effort to hinder its operations. Air Peace has accused the UK CAA of bias, suggesting that the regulatory body is protecting the interests of established competitors like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, thereby allowing these carriers to maintain their high fares and market dominance over Nigerian routes.
The UK CAA has sent two Mandatory Occurrence Reports regarding Air Peace’s operations, which have now been forwarded to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). These reports are part of the UK CAA’s standard procedures to ensure international aviation safety standards are met by all carriers operating in and out of the UK.
In its correspondence to the NCAA, the UK CAA referenced the issues under the report titles ‘United Kingdom SAFA Ramp Inspection Report’ (reference number: CAA-UK, -2024-0217) and ‘NATS Management System Safety Report.’ These documents outline specific safety concerns observed during Air Peace’s operations.
Following the UK CAA’s communication, the NCAA has formally requested Air Peace to clarify the reported safety issues. The NCAA’s letter to Air Peace, titled ‘United Kingdom SAFA Ramp Inspection Report’ (reference number: NCAA/DOLTS/APL/Vol.11/03624), seeks detailed explanations and corrective actions from the airline to address the identified concerns.
Air Peace has expressed frustration over what it perceives as unfair treatment, arguing that the safety violations are being exaggerated to justify restrictions on its operations. The airline insists that its entry into the UK market is being deliberately obstructed to favor British carriers, who continue to charge exorbitant prices to Nigerian travelers.
As the NCAA awaits Air Peace’s response, this situation highlights the complexities of international aviation politics and the critical need for impartial regulatory practices to ensure fair competition and safety in the skies.
