Flight disruptions hit passengers hard at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Boxing Day after a ground handling accident forced Air Peace to withdraw one of its newest aircraft from service.
A brand-new Embraer 195-E2, scheduled to operate a Lagos–Accra service, was damaged on the ground after a luggage conveyor belt vehicle operated by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO reportedly struck one of its engines shortly after passengers had boarded.
The impact caused visible damage to the engine covering, triggering immediate safety checks and the grounding of the aircraft.
For passengers, the effect was swift and frustrating.
Those already seated were asked to disembark, while several others faced delays, missed connections and last-minute rebooking as the disruption rippled through the airline’s schedule.
Aviation sources say as many as nine flights planned for the aircraft that day were affected, leaving many travellers stranded at the airport or diverted to alternative services.
The incident is particularly significant because the aircraft is part of Air Peace’s newest fleet additions, and repairs to modern jet engines are both complex and costly.
Beyond the inconvenience to passengers, the grounding also adds pressure to flight schedules during a busy holiday travel period.
While no injuries were reported, the episode has once again raised concerns about ground handling safety at Nigeria’s busiest airports.
Industry observers warn that repeated ramp-side incidents not only disrupt travel plans but also undermine passenger confidence in airline operations.
Investigations are expected to determine how the collision occurred and whether safety procedures were fully observed.
For affected passengers, however, Boxing Day travel plans were already upended, underscoring how a single ground incident can quickly cascade into widespread disruption.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen