‎Air Peace airline has announced a delayed with some of its flights following heavy rainfall in Lagos State on Tuesday morning after the NCAA ordered Nigerian airlines to ensure they provide hotel accommodations for passengers of delayed flights.

In a statement signed by it’s spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, the company explained that the weather conditions had affected its operations in Lagos.

 It appealed for passengers to understand and bear with it as it reaffirmed commitment to ensuring safety of its passengers.

‎The statement read; “Dear Esteemed Customer, Due to the heavy downpour of rain in Lagos this morning, some flights across our operating networks will be delayed.

‎”While weather is beyond our control and safety remains our utmost priority, we appeal for your understanding as we manage the disruptions as best as we can and get you to your destinations safely.

“At Air Peace, safety is not just a priority but a core commitment. We remain dedicated to upholding the highest safety standards for our passengers and crew.”

The statement concluded; “Thank you for your continued trust and support.”

Earlier, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced that airlines are required to provide hotel accommodations for passengers stranded between 10pm and 4am due to flight cancellations or delays.

‎The NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, stated that the authority would no longer tolerate situations where airline staff intentionally disappear, leaving NCAA officials to handle frustrated passengers.

According to Achimugu, the Nigerian government has instructed the NCAA to publicly name and shame airlines that fail to comply with aviation regulations.

“If an airline has kept passengers at the terminal up to 00 hours before cancelling a flight, they owe their passengers hotel accommodation,” he said.

‎Achimugu emphasised that the NCAA would apply the fullest measures possible for sanctionable infractions and warned airlines that they must comply with regulations to avoid penalties.

‎”The situation where airline staff intentionally disappear, leaving NCAA Consumer Protection Officers to handle justifiably irate and frustrated passengers will no longer be tolerated,” he added.

‎”We must not always choose the easy way out. Don’t you want to be called “world class”? Don’t you want to compete at the highest level? If not for the sake of the passengers who trust you to safely fly them, what about for your own pride?”

Achimugu stated that for sanctionable infractions, the authority would henceforth apply the fullest measures possible.

‎“You cannot expose NCAA officials to avoidable risk when all they do is support your business and protect your rights.”

‎“For sanctionable infractions, the Authority will apply the fullest measures possible. We will not abandon the letters of our regulations.”

In a similar case in may, the Air Peace airline had clarified the NCAA that it doesn’t cancel flights just for the fun of it.

This followed the NCAA’s complaint about incessant flight disruptions by the airline, emphasizing that while the authority remains committed to supporting airlines, operators must adhere to regulatory standards and global best practices.

Meanwhile, Air Peace had responded clarifying that it would not stop cancelling flights whenever the need arose as it prioritizes the safety of its passengers.

“At Air Peace, safety is and will always remain our cardinal priority. These delays and cancellations are dictated by safety considerations.

“We fully empathise with our esteemed passengers who experience discomfort, inconvenience, or disrupted plans due to flight delays or cancellations,” the airline had said.

It added that; “However, we do not regret taking operational decisions rooted in the protection of human lives and in strict adherence to safety standards.

“If weather conditions, technical parameters, or operational standards fall short of what is safe, we will not operate that flight.”