Senate Clears Air Peace in Runway Overrun Incident
The Nigerian Senate has cleared Air Peace, the country’s leading airline, of any wrongdoing in the runway overrun incident that occurred on July 13 at the Port Harcourt International Airport. The decision came after a detailed investigative hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Aviation.
During the session, the committee addressed allegations that pilots from Air Peace had tested positive for alcohol and cannabis. These claims were initially raised by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), but the Senate found the findings to be “inconsistent and uncoordinated.” The committee emphasized that such allegations could harm Nigeria’s reputation in the aviation sector, especially given the close scrutiny from international bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, highlighted the importance of accurate reporting. He stated that the discrepancies in the NSIB report could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s air safety rating if not resolved promptly. Buhari also pointed out that the Senate’s review confirmed that the Air Peace aircraft sustained no damage during the incident and returned to Lagos the same day.
Commitment to Safety and Support for Local Airlines
Buhari commended Air Peace and other domestic airlines for maintaining internal safety checks and random drug testing. He stressed the need for Nigeria to encourage rather than destroy its indigenous carriers. “Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines are our own. We need to support them, not damage their reputation with an unverified claim,” he said.
He also mentioned that the National Assembly may soon introduce legislation requiring federal agencies and officials to patronize Nigerian airlines. This initiative aims to strengthen the local aviation industry and promote domestic carriers.
Air Peace’s Response to Allegations
Allen Onyema, the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, appeared before the committee and described the NSIB’s handling of the matter as misleading and damaging to the airline’s international reputation. Onyema explained that the incident resulted from human error, not mechanical failure. He added that the aircraft involved had no significant damage and was able to return to Lagos the same day.
Onyema also highlighted Air Peace’s strict internal safety culture. He recalled a time when the airline grounded eight aircraft in a single day after discovering a maintenance error. “We could have hidden it, but we reported it ourselves to the NCAA. That is how seriously we take safety,” he said.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Steps
The closed-door segment of the hearing continued late into the evening, with lawmakers expected to present a final report to the full Senate in the coming weeks. The report is anticipated to recommend stronger coordination among aviation regulators and more transparent communication following incidents.
The Senate’s intervention comes after weeks of public controversy surrounding the NSIB’s allegations. The NSIB initially claimed that a co-pilot and a cabin crew member involved in the Port Harcourt incident tested positive for alcohol and THC. Both individuals have since publicly denied these allegations.