By Ishaya Ibrahim
The federal government has reacted to complaints from the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority that Air Peace violated some aviation safety regulations barely three months after it commenced operations on the Lagos-London route.
A statement by the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo said the safety issues raised by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority has since been addressed.
Keyamo also reminded the UK aviation authorities that Air Peace is a Nigerian carrier that has the full backing of the federal government.
The statement by Keyamo shared on his X account on Wednesday, reads: “My attention has been drawn to recent media publications citing some issues allegedly relating to possible safety violations at the Gatwick Airport by Air Peace Airlines raised by Safety inspectors of the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority. We want to re-iterate that Air Peace Airlines is the Nigerian flag carrier designated on the London route and as such enjoys the full backing and support of the Nigerian Government in its operation of that route.
“I have been adequately and reliably briefed on the progress made thus far on this issue by the Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). I am informed that the safety issues raised had since been adequately addressed by the Management of Air Peace and promptly closed to the satisfaction of the UK authorities.
“I wish to state categorically that the Federal Government has full confidence in the continued safety of the operations of all Nigerian flag carriers designated on different international routes, including Air Peace, and will continue to support and nudge them forward in pursuit of world-class operational excellence.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government of Nigeria has put its full weight and might behind all the local airlines designated on international routes in their endeavours in prosecuting these operations and shall provide all the necessary assistance and cooperation to ensure their success. Air Peace is no exception in this regard.”
