Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has corroborated that Air Peace Airline has resolved all issues related to the alleged possible safety violations at the Gatwick Airport.
This was disclosed by the minister in a statement via his official X handle on Tuesday.
This follows the letter written by the United Kingdom civil aviation authority to Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority, alleging that Air Peace violated certain air safety rules.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority is reported to have received two mandatory occurrence reports on Air Peace.
The UK CAA, in turn, forwarded the complaints to the NCAA.
The CAA sent a letter of complaint to the NCAA titled; ‘United Kingdom SAFA Ramp Inspection Report with reference number: CAA-UK, -2024-0217’ and ‘NATS Management System Safety Report.’
Meanwhile, Air Peace had in a statement via its official X handle denied the alleged violation stating that the issue had been long resolved.
However, Keyamo has reaffirmed that all issues relating to the alleged safety violations at the Gatwick Airport have completely been resolved.
He said “My attention has been drawn to recent media publications citing some issues allegedly relating to possible safety violations at the Gatwick Airport by Airpeace Airlines raised by Safety inspectors of the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority. We want to re-iterate that Airpeace 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 have 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 to prosecute these operations and shall provide all the necessary assistance and cooperation to ensure their success. Air Peace is no exception in this regard.”
Keyamo since his assumption of office has prioritised safety in the aviation industry.
The minister of Aviation had also inaugurated the National Executive Safety Committee to boost safety in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
