Air Peace has refuted media reports alleging that its crew tested positive for alcohol and drugs following a runway excursion incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
In a statement issued on Friday, the airline said it has not received any official communication from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) regarding the matter, more than a month after the incident and immediate post-incident crew testing.
“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance. To date, no such results have been communicated to us by NSIB,” the statement read.
Air Peace explained that the captain of the affected flight was dismissed for failing to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for ignoring a go-around advisory from his co-pilot, not for alcohol consumption as widely reported.
The airline further stated that the co-pilot, who it described as having demonstrated professionalism during the incident, has since been reinstated to active flying duties after clearance from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). “If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the NCAA would not have cleared him,” the airline added.
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance safety policy, Air Peace disclosed that it conducts regular alcohol and drug tests on its crew, with standards stricter than regulatory requirements. It also announced plans to step up internal monitoring, fitness-for-duty checks, and enhanced CRM training for its flight crew.
“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,” the airline said.
