Air Peace has issued a clarification stating unequivocally that it has no intention of detaining any Lessor’s aircraft in Nigeria or anywhere else.

The airline detailed that its current issues with the trio of Smartlynx Airlines Malta Limited, SIA Smartlynx Airlines, and Smartlynx Estonia OU (collectively referred to as “Smartlynx”) stem from the operation of damp lease agreements involving four aircraft.

The airline alleged that during these operations, Smartlynx deliberately defrauded it of several millions of dollars.

Air Peace noted that this financial loss is in addition to the severe disruptions caused to its scheduled operations during a peak season, which resulted in monumental reputational and operational damage to the airline.

The airline provided a detailed account of the alleged fraud, stating: “During the operation of the lease, Smartlynx deliberately defrauded Air Peace and fraudulently obtained several advance payments under the pretext that it would operate the agreed block hours.”

Air Peace further elaborated on the alleged intent, claiming: “Smartlynx fully knew—months before receiving these payments—that it had no intention of operating the prepaid block hours, yet it continued to demand and receive payments from Air Peace under false pretences.”

The airline stated that as of the date of the press statement, its total losses stand at USD 38,042,843.84 (Thirty-eight million, forty-two thousand, eight hundred and forty-three dollars and eighty-four cents). This critical situation ultimately led to the initiation of court proceedings against Smartlynx, and the airline added: “On 12 November 2025, the court issued an order against Smartlynx.”

BusinessDay had previously reported that Air Peace experienced several operational disruptions, resulting in flight delays and cancellations after its major lessor, SmartLynx Airlines, unlawfully withdrew three of its aircraft from the Air Peace fleet. Nowel Ngala, the Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace, explained that his company entered a wet-lease agreement with Smartlynx because 13 of its aircraft were currently undergoing scheduled maintenance abroad. “To avoid service gaps and ensure Nigerians could continue to travel conveniently, Air Peace leased aircraft from SmartLynx in a bid to support Nigerian passengers during peak travel periods,” Ngala said.

He further clarified that the disruptions were caused by the abrupt and unjustified withdrawal of four aircraft we wet-leased from SmartLynx Airlines.

Ngala disclosed that this withdrawal was done without prior notice, describing it as a clear violation of industry standards and of the agreement between both parties.