Aviation
By Victoria Frances
THE Nigerian government has responded to allegations against Air Peace, an indigenous airline accused by the British Civil Aviation Authority of violating some safety regulations barely three months after it started plying the Lagos-London route.
Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development in Nigeria in a tweet on X on Wednesday, May 22, said the safety issues raised by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority has since been addressed.
Keyamo also reminded the British aviation authorities that Air Peace is a Nigerian carrier backed fully by the Nigerian government
The minister’s statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to recent media publications citing some issues allegedly relating to possible safety violations at the Gatwick Airport by Air Peace Airlines raised by Safety inspectors of the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority. We want to re-iterate that Air Peace Airlines is the Nigerian flag carrier designated on the London route and as such enjoys the full backing and support of the Nigerian Government in its operation of that route.
“I have been adequately and reliably briefed on the progress made thus far on this issue by the Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). I am informed that the safety issues raised had since been adequately addressed by the Management of Air Peace and promptly closed to the satisfaction of the UK authorities.
“I wish to state categorically that the Federal Government has full confidence in the continued safety of the operations of all Nigerian flag carriers designated on different international routes, including Air Peace, and will continue to support and nudge them forward in pursuit of world-class operational excellence.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government of Nigeria has put its full weight and might behind all the local airlines designated on international routes in their endeavours in prosecuting these operations and shall provide all the necessary assistance and cooperation to ensure their success. Air Peace is no exception in this regard.”
“Realnews reports that allegations on safety issues surfaced barely a week after the British media got angry that Air Peace provided free flight ticket to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their successful trip to Nigeria to promote their Invictus game that supports wounded soldiers rehabilitation through supports. Invictus marked it’s 10 anniversary recently.
The British press also regurgitated that Allen Onyema, owner of the Air Peace airline had money laundering issues in an apparent bid to taint the private visit of Prince Harry and his wife without letting the public also know that the court in United States had since cleared Onyema of all allegations and fined the accuser for wrongful accusations.
F.A
May 23, 2024
Tags: Air Peace Airline addressed safety issues already
