Nigerian carrier Air Peace has faulted media reports citing a preliminary investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) into an incident involving one of its aircraft in Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.
The airline, in a statement, said it has yet to receive any official communication from the NSIB more than a month after the incident, despite the fact that alcohol tests on the crew were conducted within an hour of the occurrence.
Air Peace emphasized its strict zero-tolerance policy on alcohol and drugs, noting that its internal rules are even more stringent than regulatory requirements.
“Drug use is a no-no,” the airline declared, stressing that it conducts frequent tests on its crew.
According to the statement, the captain of the affected flight was immediately grounded and has remained off duty for failing to adhere to Crew Resource Management principles and for disregarding a go-around instruction from his co-pilot.
The airline clarified, however, that the grounding was not linked to any positive breathalyser test result, since no such result has been communicated to it by the NSIB.
The First Officer, who called for the go-around, has since been reinstated into active flying duties with clearance from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Air Peace argued that if he had tested positive for alcohol or drugs, the NCAA would not have approved his return to flying.
While reiterating its commitment to strengthening internal monitoring and fitness-for-duty checks, Air Peace said the episode underscored the need for enhanced Crew Resource Management training.
The airline assured its passengers and the Nigerian public that it maintains a strong safety record and will never compromise on global best practices.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen