In the early hours of Thursday, an Air Peace aircraft travelling from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to Lagos was unexpectedly halted on the tarmac due to suspected technical faults.
The incident raised alarms among passengers, many of whom took to social media platforms to voice their concerns and fears regarding the abrupt interruption.
Prominent human rights lawyer, Inihebe Effiong, who was aboard the flight, shared his experience on X, formerly known as Twitter. According to Effiong, the flight, which was scheduled for departure at 6:30 AM, was “forcefully” stopped while taxiing on the runway just before takeoff.
In his post, he recounted the chaos that ensued among the passengers: “While taxiing on the runway and just before takeoff, our Air Peace flight from Abuja to Lagos, scheduled for6:30 AM today, was stopped forcefully, resulting in panic and screams from some passengers.”
In a further elaboration of the event, Effiong disclosed that the flight’s captain attributed the sudden halt to a bird strike. This incident has drawn attention to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s recent announcements regarding the procurement of advanced multimillion-naira bird strike detection equipment, raising questions about their efficacy.
He expressed relief that the unsettling incident did not occur after takeoff, noting, “Thankfully, whatever happened did not occur after takeoff. It would have been scarier. I am wondering whether there is bird detection radar technology at the domestic wing of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.”
During the confusion, Effiong mentioned that passengers were deboarded and were awaiting either the repair of the aircraft or the provision of a replacement. He further highlighted the urgency of better safety measures in the aviation sector, particularly about bird strikes, which have the potential to pose serious risks to aircraft during crucial phases of flight.
Another passenger, who preferred to remain anonymous, corroborated Effiong’s account of the incident and expressed concern about the maintenance and safety protocols of the airline.
“I am not sure what happened was due to a bird strike,” the individual stated, emphasizing the need for the airline to focus more on the safety and upkeep of its fleet. In response to the incident, Air Peace published an official statement, signed by the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Ejike Ndiulo.
The statement confirmed the aircraft’s grounding before takeoff due to the suspected bird strike, reiterating the airline’s commitment to passenger safety.
“We have deployed a replacement aircraft for the affected flight to minimize disruption and ensure that passengers can continue their journeys promptly. We appeal for the understanding of the passengers impacted by this development, as well as those on other flights that may experience delays,” the statement concluded.
Air Peace has previously faced scrutiny regarding its safety protocols, and this incident is likely to reignite discussions about air travel safety standards in Nigeria.
Passengers and industry experts alike are hopeful that the airline will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, with a focus on implementing improvements that ensure the safety and security of all travellers.
However, as air travel remains a critical mode of transportation, the aviation industry is tasked with continuously enhancing its safety measures to foster passenger confidence and trust.
