Air Peace addresses travel chaos at Gatwick following backlash from Funke Akindele

Air Peace has addressed concerns expressed by Nollywood actress Funke Akindele regarding the treatment of passengers who were stranded at London's Gatwick Airport due to a disruption on its London–Lagos route.

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The airline's spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, issued a statement on Friday confirming that the incident was caused by a bird strike involving the aircraft scheduled for the London (Gatwick)–Lagos service.

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The affected aircraft was immediately grounded for comprehensive safety inspections and engineering checks, in accordance with international aviation safety protocols, to ensure passenger safety, which remains the airline's top priority.

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Air Peace stated that its London (Gatwick) – Lagos service experienced a bird strike, prompting the grounding of the affected aircraft for a comprehensive inspection, as per standard safety protocols.

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Funke Akindele had taken to social media platform X to express her dissatisfaction, alleging that passengers were left stranded for nearly 10 hours without adequate communication, accommodation, or access to their luggage.

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Akindele also claimed that elderly passengers were among those affected, having waited since early morning without receiving clear updates on the situation.

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In response, Air Peace stated that it had begun contacting affected passengers and providing updates on alternative arrangements, while working to minimize disruptions across its flight network.

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The airline expressed empathy with the affected passengers, appreciating their patience and informing them of its next course of action.

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Air Peace reaffirmed its commitment to safety and operational excellence, emphasizing its focus on maintaining the highest standards in all its operations.

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The incident has sparked broader discussions about passenger welfare and communication during international flight disruptions, particularly in cases involving extended delays.