Air Peace Faces Growing Criticism Amid Claims of Coordinated Smear Campaigns

Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, is facing increasing public criticism as supporters of the airline argue that some of the attacks amount to deliberate attempts to damage its reputation.

The debate recalls similar controversies from the 1990s, when rumours circulated in Lagos about allegedly poisonous beans said to have killed several families through akara and moi-moi consumption. At the time, the current Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mohammed Buba Marwa, publicly ate akara at Ketu Market to disprove the claims after panic had already affected traders and disrupted economic activity.

Other products also suffered reputational crises during that period. A sanitary towel brand was falsely accused of containing HIV/AIDS, despite clarifications from National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control that the virus could not survive outside a living host. Likewise, the seasoning product “White Magi” struggled after allegations linked it to stomach upset, even though experts noted that competing products used similar ingredients.

According to supporters of Air Peace, the airline is now experiencing comparable “demarketing” campaigns as it expands internationally. Founded 12 years ago, the airline has grown into the largest carrier in Nigeria and West Africa, operating over 38 aircraft and servicing 20 domestic routes alongside 10 regional and international destinations, including London Heathrow and London Gatwick from Abuja.

Recent controversies intensified after media personality Tacha and actress Funke Akindele criticised the airline over disruptions involving passengers at London Gatwick on May 1, 2026. Akindele accused the airline of abandoning passengers and failing to care for elderly travellers. However, Capt. Chris Najomo, Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, reportedly dismissed claims that passengers were left without accommodation after a bird strike disrupted operations.

Supporters of the airline maintain that many online criticisms overlook the operational realities of global aviation. They argue that delays and cancellations are often unavoidable, resulting from weather conditions, bird strikes, technical checks, congestion, and regulatory issues rather than negligence.

The aviation industry is currently under severe pressure globally, with rising Jet A-1 fuel prices and supply concerns linked to Middle East tensions worsening operating conditions. Similar disruptions have affected major international airlines. On May 9, a Delta Air Lines flight travelling from Atlanta to Lagos reportedly returned to the United States mid-flight after spending eight hours in the air. United Airlines also suspended flights for two days recently, while British Airways suspended a route for several days last year.

The article acknowledges that passengers deserve prompt schedules and proper care during disruptions, but argues that sustained attacks targeting a single airline could damage an already fragile sector. Nigeria’s aviation industry has witnessed the collapse of several airlines over the last two decades, including ADC Airlines, Sosoliso Airlines, and Chanchangi Airlines.

Advocates for Air Peace also highlight the airline’s humanitarian role, including evacuating Nigerians during crises in South Africa and Sudan, as well as transporting medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They argue that these contributions, alongside the airline’s role in job creation and national economic growth, should be considered before promoting narratives that could undermine one of Nigeria’s biggest aviation brands.

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