Air Peace has dismissed media reports that its crew tested positive for drugs and alcohol after an incident at Port Harcourt International Airport.
The airline, in a statement on Friday, said it has not received “any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident.”
It described the circulating report as misleading, stressing that safety remains its highest priority.
“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight,” the carrier stated.
On July 13, 2025, one of the airline’s aircraft reportedly veered off the runway before the co-pilot initiated a go-around. Media reports claimed that a preliminary document from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) indicted the captain and co-pilot for substance use.
The report, said to have been signed by NSIB spokesperson Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, alleged that alcohol and drugs were found in their system.
But Air Peace insists no such result was ever communicated to the airline.
“The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further duty till date for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles… but not for testing positive to the breathalyser test, as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date,” the airline explained.
Airline’s Safety Policies
Air Peace highlighted its strict internal policies, noting: “Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!”
The carrier defended the co-pilot, saying he acted professionally and was cleared to resume flying by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“Contrary to reports, the First Officer (co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active duties with NCAA approval,” it said.
The airline admitted that if the grounded captain’s results later prove positive, it will “increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.”
It also promised to strengthen retraining and monitoring. “We will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and stronger internal monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy,” the statement added.
Air Peace reassured passengers: “We have consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implement global best practices in all aspects of our operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace.”
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