Air Peace management has categorically denied allegations connecting its flight crew to the consumption of alcohol and cannabis following an incident at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
Contrary to widespread claims on Thursday that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) implicated the airline’s personnel in recurrent substance use, Air Peace issued a statement on Friday refuting these assertions. The airline emphasized its unwavering commitment to stringent policies and a zero-tolerance approach toward drug and alcohol use among its staff.
The NSIB had published a preliminary report concerning the Port Harcourt event involving an Air Peace Boeing 737-524, registration 5N-BQQ. The flight, carrying 103 passengers and crew from Lagos, experienced a long landing on Runway 21 after an unstable approach, ultimately coming to a halt 209 meters into the runway clearway.
According to the bureau, initial toxicology screenings indicated the presence of alcohol in some flight crew members, while a cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. These results are currently under further evaluation within the context of human performance and safety management protocols.
However, Air Peace clarified via its official X account that it has not received any formal notification from the NSIB regarding these findings.
The airline labeled the circulating reports as inaccurate and stressed that neither it nor its crew have been officially informed of any preliminary conclusions from the NSIB, even more than a month after the incident and subsequent alcohol testing conducted shortly after the event.
“To this day, we have not been formally notified by the NSIB about such findings, despite the crew undergoing alcohol testing within an hour of the incident,” the airline stated.
“As a responsible carrier, we prioritize safety, transparency, and regulatory compliance, and it is essential to correct these misconceptions.”
Detailing its internal measures following the Port Harcourt occurrence, Air Peace confirmed that the captain involved was immediately suspended from flight duties for failing to follow standard go-around procedures and neglecting Crew Resource Management (CRM) protocols.
The airline emphasized that this disciplinary action was unrelated to any alcohol consumption, as no official test results have been communicated by the NSIB.
“In response to the incident, the captain was promptly grounded and remains suspended due to non-compliance with CRM principles and ignoring advised go-around procedures by the co-pilot-not because of any positive breathalyzer results, which have not been shared with us by the NSIB,” the statement explained.
“Had there been any confirmed substance use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have authorized his return to flight operations,” the airline added.
Air Peace further stated that if any verified positive alcohol test emerges against the captain, it will escalate the frequency of crew substance testing and reinforce its rigorous Fitness-for-Duty assessments and internal oversight.
