Air Peace Limited has confirmed that one of its Airbus A320 aircraft sustained significant damage at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (MMA1), Lagos, on Tuesday, after a Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) baggage conveyor belt vehicle crashed into the aircraft’s engine.
The airline, in a statement by its management on Wednesday, said the incident occurred shortly after the completion of Flight P47427 from Kano and the safe disembarkation of passengers.
According to Air Peace, the ground handling equipment belonging to and operated by NAHCO tore into the aircraft and, as such, rendered the aircraft totally unserviceable.
The airline said this unfortunate incident has significantly impacted its operations, as the aircraft was rostered to operate multiple flights within its network over the coming days.
Consequently, Air Peace said several scheduled services will experience delays, while some may regrettably be cancelled as it works to mitigate the disruption through fleet adjustments.
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“We sincerely apologise to our esteemed passengers whose travel plans may be affected by this unforeseen ground handling incident. Our operational and customer service teams are actively working to minimise the inconvenience by providing available alternatives and ensuring that affected passengers receive the necessary assistance.
“At Air Peace, the safety of our passengers, crew, and equipment remains our highest priority,” the airline said.
Air Peace said it is working closely with the relevant ground handling company and aviation authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent a recurrence.
“We appreciate the patience, understanding, and continued support of our valued customers as we diligently manage the operational challenges arising from this incident,” the airline said.
