Air Peace faced backlash over claims of passenger abandonment following a bird strike that disrupted its Gatwick to Lagos flight on May 1, 2026. The airline clarified the situation after passengers expressed concerns about their welfare.
At 6:30 am, Air Peace informed passengers about the delay caused by the bird strike. The airline emphasized that safety is not negotiable and would not operate an aircraft without full safety clearance.
Passengers were not abandoned during this incident. Air Peace provided hotel accommodation at the Hilton London Gatwick and maintained communication with all affected passengers throughout the disruption.
Operational challenges arose from airport congestion and delays from ground handling services, which affected baggage retrieval. Air Peace described the bird strike as a recognized force majeure event in aviation.
The airline is finalizing arrangements to deploy another aircraft to complete the journey to Lagos. “At no point were passengers abandoned. Communication was maintained with all affected passengers, and every effort was made to ensure their welfare,” Air Peace stated.
The ongoing negative attention directed at the airline is unwarranted, according to Air Peace. They find it shocking that their actions during a safety-driven incident have been criticized.