Air Peace has firmly denied claims that it sold tickets to Jamaica and then “dumped” passengers in Barbados, calling the allegations misleading and contrary to the facts.

In a press statement on Monday, the airline affirmed that all ticket sales complied fully with international aviation regulations and standard industry practices, emphasizing that passengers were never misled about their travel plans.

Air Peace stated that routine pre-departure profiling and document checks at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport revealed that some passengers did not have the necessary transit visas for travel via Antigua to their final destinations, including Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

“In compliance with regulatory requirements, Air Peace immediately offered the affected passengers a full refund of their tickets,” the airline stated.

Air Peace noted that while some passengers opted for refunds, others chose to be rerouted through Barbados, highlighting that Nigerian passport holders do not need transit visas for Barbados when traveling to Jamaica and other destinations.

“Based solely on this voluntary request, Air Peace facilitated the rerouting. In total, 42 passengers freely and expressly had their tickets rerouted through Barbados. No passenger was forced, coerced, or compelled to travel to Barbados,” the statement said.

The airline clarified that an unexpected operational delay caused passengers to arrive in Barbados later than planned, resulting in missed onward connections.

Air Peace added that the airlines meant to carry the passengers onward did not honor their tickets, leaving them stranded.

The airline also revealed that some passengers could not secure hotel accommodation after their credit card transactions were declined, and that Barbados immigration authorities raised concerns about their return travel arrangements.

“Passengers with return dates of December 31, 2025, indicated plans to return to Nigeria months later with no alternative means of travel. This was deemed unacceptable by Barbados immigration authorities,” Air Peace said.

According to the airline, 67 passengers from the group were allowed entry into Barbados and continued their journeys, while 25 were denied entry following individual assessments by immigration officials.

Air Peace emphasized that immigration decisions were beyond its control, noting that the airline met its responsibilities by offering refunds, arranging voluntary rerouting, providing on-ground support, and ensuring the safe return of affected passengers.

“Air Peace did not abandon, dump, or deliberately inconvenience any passenger. The airline acted responsibly, transparently, and in good faith at all times,” the statement said.