Air Peace said a flight planned from Lagos to London Gatwick on May 13 ran into an operational setback tied to airspace access problems involving aviation authorities in an unnamed African country. The carrier said the aircraft turned back to Lagos safely, following international safety procedures, while it sought clarification from the relevant regulators.
Quick facts
- Air Peace confirmed a disruption on its Lagos–London Gatwick service scheduled for May 13, 2026.
- The issue was linked to en-route access problems involving airspace authorities in an African country.
- The aircraft returned safely to Lagos in line with international aviation safety procedures.
- The London Gatwick departure was rescheduled while the matter was addressed.
- Passengers were informed and received updates, assistance, and care arrangements, and the airline issued an apology.
In a statement from its management, the airline said the incident occurred while the plane was still en route to London Gatwick. Air Peace added that it had to make the decision to return to Lagos because it needed immediate operational clarification with the aviation authorities responsible for the airspace in question.
“As a result of the development and the need for immediate operational clarification with the relevant authorities, the aircraft safely returned to Lagos in accordance with established international aviation procedures,” the airline said. The carrier described the disruption as unforeseen and outside its control.
Air Peace also said the affected London Gatwick service had been rescheduled as efforts continued to resolve the airspace access issue. It added that passengers impacted by the change received timely communication, along with support and other necessary care measures during the period of disruption.
The airline said it informed affected travellers and provided assistance to minimise inconvenience. Air Peace ended the statement by apologising to passengers for the disruption and reiterating that the situation arose unexpectedly due to factors it could not influence.
