Air Peace Responds to Alleged Safety Violations at Gatwick

Local airline operator Air Peace has addressed and resolved safety concerns raised by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA).

The airline, which commenced direct flights from Lagos to London on March 30, 2024, reassured passengers of its unwavering commitment to safety.

In a statement on Monday, Air Peace detailed the resolution process:

“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 stated.

Air Peace emphasized its compliance with regulatory requirements: “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.”

Clarifications on Specific Issues

• iPad Mounts and Charging Ports: Addressing claims about the absence of iPad mounts and charging ports, Air Peace clarified, “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 location of the cockpit library, 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.”

Commitment to Safety Standards

Air Peace reiterated that ramp inspections are standard procedures conducted by aviation authorities worldwide. The UK CAA’s notification to the Nigerian counterpart was a routine part of this process.

“Air Peace’s 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,” the airline affirmed.