Air Peace Blames Flight Disruptions on ‘Illegal’ Withdrawal of Three Aircraft by Lessor

Air Peace says recent domestic flight disruptions resulted from SmartLynx Airlines withdrawing three leased aircraft.

The airline reports major financial losses and explains how the sudden action affected its operations nationwide.

Air Peace has explained that the recent disruptions affecting its domestic flights were caused by the sudden and “illegal” withdrawal of three aircraft by its wet lessor, SmartLynx Airlines.

The airline revealed on Friday that the development has cost it an estimated 15 million dollars. The Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace, Nowel Ngala, made the disclosure during a news conference in Lagos, where he addressed the delays and cancellations that passengers have experienced in recent weeks.

According to Ngala, Air Peace entered a wet lease arrangement with SmartLynx because 13 of its aircraft were undergoing scheduled maintenance abroad. To prevent service gaps and ensure passengers could continue travelling with ease, the airline leased aircraft from the company. However, he said SmartLynx removed three of the leased aircraft without notice, which he described as a serious breach of the agreement between both parties.

Ngala explained that the action caused financial losses, disrupted schedules and damaged the airline’s reputation. He said the sudden removal also affected the Nigerian travelling public, as the aircraft were already assigned to operate several routes.

He noted that SmartLynx claimed the owners of the aircraft demanded their withdrawal, but insisted that the company had already collected significant funds from Air Peace. According to him, more than five million dollars belonging to the airline, including over one million dollars paid as security deposits, is still with the lessor.

Ngala added that this was not the first time the airline was placed in a difficult position by a lessor. He recalled a past incident where another leasing company disappeared with more than two million dollars after claiming it was taking a leased aircraft for maintenance, only for the aircraft and funds to remain unaccounted for.

He said Nigerian airlines often face unfair treatment in international leasing arrangements and stressed that Air Peace would no longer tolerate such situations.

Despite the challenges, Ngala confirmed that Air Peace had completed maintenance on some of its aircraft, with two already back in service. He said the airline expects to resume full operations on its routes next week as more aircraft return.

Ngala apologized to passengers for the inconvenience and thanked them for their patience. He assured the public that the airline remains committed to safe and dependable services and will take necessary steps to avoid similar disruptions in the future. He also confirmed that its London flights were not affected.