UK Regulator Alerts NCAA to Alleged Safety Violations by Air Peace

The United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA) has reported local airline operator Air Peace to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) due to alleged non-compliance with certain safety regulations at Gatwick Airport in London.

Michael Achimugu, a spokesman for the NCAA, informed Channels Television on Monday about the complaints received from the UKCAA regarding Air Peace’s operations. These safety concerns emerged during a ramp inspection conducted by the UKCAA.

Two mandatory occurrence reports on Air Peace were submitted to the UKCAA, which then forwarded these concerns to the NCAA.

Investigation and Response

Achimugu clarified that the complaints from the UKCAA fall under less serious categories of violations, not the Level 1 category, which signifies serious safety non-compliance. He stated, “The complaints do not mean that the airline can no longer operate at the Gatwick airport. The NCAA has communicated the complaints to the airline. Investigation is ongoing.”

Air Peace’s Official Response

Air Peace spokesman Stanley Olisa provided an official statement in response to the complaints. The statement read, “We can confirm that the UK Civil Aviation Authority wrote to Air Peace, after their statutory Ramp Inspection on April 7, 2024, to request clarification on our use of the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and some other concerns. We provided the necessary information, and the matter was resolved without any issues.”

The airline emphasized its compliance with regulatory approvals: “It is, therefore, wrong to say we do not have approval for our EFB. Air Peace received approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and all our Boeing 777 aircraft are certified to operate with EFBs.”

Additional Clarifications

• iPad Mounts and Charging Ports: Addressing concerns about the lack of iPad mounts and charging ports, Air Peace stated, “All B777 aircraft are equipped with charging ports in the cockpit, and we ensure that all our B777 aircraft have iPad mounts.”
• Cockpit Library Location: Regarding the cockpit library location, the airline explained, “The B777 designates two locations for storing manuals and books: one behind the captain and one under the jumpseat. During the inspection, the books were stored under the jumpseat, as it is commonly practised. We understand the inspector’s preference for the books to be placed behind the captain and have ensured this preference is accommodated for all operations going forward.”
• Runway Exit Procedure: Concerning the captain’s choice of runway exit, Air Peace noted, “Instead of exiting at the middle runway exit, the captain, out of his professional discretion, opted to exit at the end of the runway. This may have delayed the arrival of another aircraft. We acknowledge this deviation and have addressed the matter with the captain to ensure adherence to preferred exit procedures in the future.”

Air Peace reaffirmed its dedication to safety: “Our safety record is second to none, and we go above and beyond to comply with all established safety standards. Safety is the bedrock of our operations, and we have robust operational mechanisms to guarantee full compliance always.”

Air Peace’s Operations at Gatwick

Air Peace began direct flights from Lagos to Gatwick Airport on March 30, 2024, reciprocating the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the UK. On April 25, 2024, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo approved the airline’s request to add Abuja to its London route.

This development has been praised by industry observers, encouraging more local airlines to initiate international flights on profitable routes. Air Peace’s competitive pricing has significantly impacted the market, with the cost of a return economy class ticket from Lagos to London pegged at N1.2 million, prompting foreign airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways to reduce their prices.

Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema criticized foreign carriers for what he termed a “devilish conspiracy” to push the airline out of the London route, sparking a price war in the process.