Air Peace has denied reports linking its crew to alcohol use during the July 13, 2025 runway incident at Port Harcourt International Airport, stressing that it has not received any official report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
In a statement issued Friday, the airline described the reports as “misleading,” clarifying that neither the company nor the crew had been formally notified of any toxicology results. It added that immediate alcohol tests were conducted within an hour of the incident, with no official communication provided since.
“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance. To date, we have never received any official communication from the NSIB on such findings,” the statement read.
The airline explained that the captain of the affected flight was relieved of duties for procedural violations, particularly failure to adhere to go-around protocols and Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles, but not for alcohol use. Meanwhile, the First Officer who called for a go-around was commended and reinstated after clearance by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Air Peace also reiterated its strict zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol, noting that it already conducts regular crew testing beyond regulatory requirements. It added that if any official confirmation of a positive alcohol test emerges, it will step up monitoring and fitness-for-duty checks.
The NSIB had on Thursday released its preliminary report into the incident involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-524 aircraft, which landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised approach. All 103 passengers and crew disembarked safely, but the bureau disclosed that initial toxicological screening showed alcohol in some crew members and THC in a cabin crew member.
Air Peace maintained that until formally notified, the disciplinary action taken remains strictly procedural. It assured the public that safety remains uncompromised across all its operations.
