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Nigerian airline, Air Peace, has reacted to the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, report which indicted its crew.
The airline stated that the captain of the affected B737 aircraft had been grounded and relieved from further flight duty for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management, CRM, principles.
It said it was unaware that the pilots and a crew, as claimed by NSIB, were guilty of alcohol and cannabis abuse, as the report claims.
According to airline, after the incident involving its aircraft on July 13, 2025 where one of its B737 aircraft skidded into the bush at the Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, the captain of the affected flight was sacked while the co-pilot was retained.
In a statement, Air Peace maintained that the captain was suspended for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot, and not for testing positive on a breathalyser test, as the result was not communicated to the airline by the NSIB to date.
It added that contrary to reports making the rounds, the First Officer (Co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, was reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.
The airline disclosed that the NCAA cleared him, adding that if he were involved in drug or alcohol use, the aviation regulatory body would not have cleared him to resume flight duties.
“However, if the relieved captain tested positive on the breathalyser test, then we must increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew. Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be overemphasised.”
“We will intensify strict fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy. Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations.
“We reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace,” the statement added.
Pilot sacked for flouting rules, not alcohol abuse – Air Peace reacts to NSIB report
