UK aviation regulator reports Nigerian airline Air Peace to authorities over alleged safety violations on new Lagos-London route. Complaints cite issues like improper use of electronic flight bags for navigation on Air Peace flights to Gatwick.
Regulators in Britain have reported Nigerian carrier Air Peace to aviation authorities in Abuja over alleged violations of safety regulations, only months after the airline launched its new Lagos-London route.
The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA) has sent two "mandatory occurrence reports" to Nigeria's Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regarding Air Peace's operations at London's Gatwick Airport, according to officials familiar with the matter.
In a letter dated May 14, the NCAA said it had been alerted by British regulators about "no operational approval" for the use of electronic flight bags on an Air Peace flight, which aids navigation. The U.K. also cited issues like a lack of proper mounting devices and backup batteries for critical equipment. "The captain of the flight admitted that an electronic flight bag was being used for navigational purposes," the NCAA letter stated, suggesting potential violations of air safety protocols.
Air Peace began flights from Lagos to Gatwick in early 2024 after a bilateral air services pact opened up the lucrative route between Nigeria and Britain. Ticket prices quickly dropped from over 3 million naira to around 1.2 million naira for a round-trip economy ticket. But the airline has faced turbulence, including allegations of slot restrictions at Gatwick and other "operational interference" aimed at disrupting the new service, according to Nigerian reports.
The NCAA has now asked Air Peace to provide clarification on the UK's complaints. Aviation experts say such regulatory scrutiny could jeopardize the airline's ability to continue service if safety issues are confirmed.
"Violations like improper use of electronic flight bags raise red flags about broader safety lapses," said Samson Fatokun, an aviation analyst based in Lagos. "The NCAA must take this seriously."
Air Peace and the UKCAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. If the allegations are substantiated, the Nigerian airline could face punitive measures from both British and Nigerian regulators.
