Air Peace says repeated aircraft damage by ground-handling equipment has caused millions of dollars in repair costs and about $42 million in lost revenue, renewing concerns over ramp safety at Nigerian airports.
Nigeria’s aviation debt dispute enters a new phase as domestic airlines begin repaying outstanding 5% Ticket Sales Charge debts under an instalment agreement with the NCAA, following intervention that eased tensions with aviation unions.
The Federal Government has moved to resolve Nigeria’s aviation crisis as Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo secures fresh resolutions on airline debts, workers’ union rights and industrial harmony.
The NCAA is set to introduce RFID baggage tracking nationwide to reduce delayed, missing and misrouted luggage and allow passengers to monitor their bags in real time.
Flight operations have been disrupted at Lagos and Abuja airports as aviation unions picket domestic airlines over alleged non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and workers’ unionisation rights.
Air Peace has opened bookings for its 2026/2027 London winter schedule, with 13 weekly flights connecting Lagos and Abuja to London Gatwick and Heathrow.
Nigerian airlines have borrowed more than N60bn from local banks to finance aviation fuel as soaring Jet A1 prices continue to worsen financial pressure on operators.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has appealed to the National Assembly to restore its 65% share of Ticket Sales Charge revenue, warning that continued funding cuts are leading to the loss of technical inspectors and could weaken Nigeria's aviation safety oversight.
Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema has vowed that Nigerian airlines will not be intimidated by aviation unions' planned picketing over the Ticket Sales Charges dispute. He urged stakeholders to address the industry's operational challenges instead of disrupting airline operations.
Aviation unions have threatened to shut down airlines accused of withholding statutory ticket sales charges collected from passengers after the expiration of multiple ultimatums, warning of possible nationwide flight disruptions.