Nigeria's Senate has exonerated Air Peace from allegations of pilot negligence and drug use in a July 2024 runway overrun at Port Harcourt International Airport. The upper chamber criticized the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau for an inconsistent report that could harm the country's aviation reputation. Air Peace's leadership defended the airline's safety record during the hearing.
On November 6, 2025, the Senate Committee on Aviation, chaired by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari from Oyo North, held an investigative hearing in Abuja regarding the July 13, 2024, runway overrun involving an Air Peace flight at Port Harcourt International Airport. The committee cleared the airline of claims of negligence and drug use by its pilots, attributing the incident to no loss of life or aircraft damage, with the plane safely returning to Lagos the same day.
Buhari described the NSIB's report as 'disjointed and uncoordinated,' noting initial allegations of drug use among several crew members were later revised to only two. 'Most of the allegations were simply untrue,' he stated. 'You don’t accuse people wrongly in aviation — ICAO and other international agencies are watching us.' He praised Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines for high safety standards, urging support for local carriers. 'Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines are our own,' Buhari said. 'We must support, not destroy them. No life was lost, no aircraft was damaged — the plane was later flown back safely to Lagos.'
Air Peace Chairman and CEO Allen Onyema testified that the NSIB report unfairly damaged the airline's image. 'The aircraft had no mechanical fault or damage; it flew back to Lagos the same day,' he clarified, adding the experienced pilot simply had a bad day. Onyema highlighted the airline's commitment to safety, including grounding eight aircraft in one day for a documentation error and self-reporting to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. 'We once grounded eight aircraft in a single day after detecting a documentation error,' he said. 'That’s how seriously we take safety.' He warned that such reports could invite unfair global scrutiny, emphasizing, 'Air Peace is one of the safest airlines in the world, not just in Nigeria.'
The committee reviewed confidential data in a closed session and plans to recommend reforms for better coordination in aviation investigations, including legislation to promote use of Nigerian airlines for official travel. Buhari reiterated the focus on safety and reputation: 'We are not here to destroy any business. Our concern is safety and reputation. This incident shows why coordinated, fact-based reporting is vital to the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation industry.' The final report is expected soon to enhance transparency in the sector.