Air Peace has raised fresh concerns over mounting operational losses caused by bird strikes and ground handling accidents, warning that the incidents are inflicting severe financial strain on Nigeria’s largest airline.
According to Onyema, Air Peace recorded no fewer than 49 bird-strike incidents between January and September 2025. He explained that while bird strikes are a known aviation risk, their frequency in Nigeria has become alarming.
Onyema noted that even a single strike can force an aircraft to remain grounded for weeks, disrupting flight schedules and increasing maintenance costs, as safety regulations require thorough inspections and repairs before operations can resume.
Beyond bird strikes, the airline is also grappling with costly ground handling accidents. Onyema revealed that a newly acquired Embraer 195-E2 aircraft, valued at about $85 million, was recently damaged at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The incident occurred when a luggage conveyor belt, operated by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), collided with the aircraft’s engine while it was on the ground.
He disclosed that repairs from the incident alone are expected to cost the airline more than $1 million. Onyema added that if an engine replacement becomes necessary, the bill could rise to as much as $18 million, further worsening the airline’s financial exposure.
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The Air Peace chairman also alleged what he described as persistent negligence and “sabotage” by ground handling personnel.
He cited an earlier case in which a Boeing 777 remained grounded for nearly three years while the airline waited for a replacement engine, only for the newly installed engine to be damaged by a ground handler shortly after arrival.
The revelations come amid growing public and regulatory scrutiny over rising domestic airfares. Onyema used the opportunity to defend recent fare increases, arguing that high maintenance costs, multiple taxes, and avoidable operational damages make lower ticket prices unsustainable for local airlines.
Industry observers say the situation underscores deeper safety and infrastructure challenges within Nigeria’s aviation sector, with frequent aircraft-on-ground incidents threatening operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.
