An Air Peace flight scheduled to depart from Abuja to Lagos on Thursday morning was disrupted by a bird strike shortly before takeoff. A bird strike occurs when a bird collides with an aircraft during flight, takeoff, or landing.
In a statement issued by Ejike Ndiulo, the airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, Air Peace confirmed that the flight, which was set to take off at 6:30 AM, was affected by the incident.
“We wish to inform our esteemed passengers that our Abuja-Lagos 06:30 flight experienced a bird strike before take-off, prompting a ramp return as a safety measure. All passengers disembarked normally,” the statement read.
The airline assured passengers that a replacement aircraft had been deployed to minimize disruptions. “We have deployed a replacement aircraft for the affected flight in order to minimize disruptions, thus ensuring that passengers continue their journeys promptly,” Air Peace said.
The airline also expressed appreciation for the understanding of the passengers impacted by the disruption, while apologizing to other travelers who might experience delays.
“We appeal for the understanding of our valued passengers impacted by this development, as well as those on other flights that may experience delays,” the statement continued.
“At Air Peace, we are committed to providing safe, comfortable, and reliable air travel for all our passengers.”
Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who was onboard the flight, shared his experience on Facebook.
Effiong recounted that the bird strike caused panic among some passengers.
“While taxing on the runway and just before takeoff, our Air Peace flight from Abuja to Lagos scheduled for 6:30 AM today was stopped forcefully, resulting in panic and screams by some passengers,” Effiong posted.
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He added that the flight crew attributed the incident to the bird strike, and passengers were subsequently deboarded to await either a replacement or repair of the aircraft.
“The captain attributed the incident to a bird strike. We have been deboarded to await either a replacement or repair of the aircraft,” he wrote.
Effiong expressed relief that the incident did not occur after takeoff, which could have been more frightening. “Thankfully, whatever happened did not occur after takeoff. It would have been scarier,” he said.
Minutes later, Effiong posted an update confirming that the faulty aircraft had been replaced and that passengers were boarding the new plane for the flight to Lagos.
This incident follows a similar disruption on November 4, when another Air Peace flight, heading to Abuja from Benin, was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a technical issue.
