Air Peace has strongly rejected claims by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) alleging its crew tested positive for drugs and alcohol following an incident at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025. The airline described the preliminary report, which was widely circulated in the media, as misleading and unsubstantiated.
The controversy stems from a runway excursion involving an Air Peace aircraft, which investigators later linked to alleged substance use by the captain and co-pilot. According to NSIB, breathalyser tests indicated the presence of hard drugs and alcohol, sparking widespread public concern about crew fitness.
In its statement posted on its official X account, the carrier stressed it had not received any official notification from NSIB over a month after the incident. Air Peace noted that while crew tests were reportedly conducted within an hour of the event, the results were never directly communicated to management.
The airline underscored its strict internal safety protocols, insisting that it conducts regular drug and alcohol tests on all crew members. It added that its policies go beyond regulatory requirements, enforcing stricter timelines and maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to drug use.
Air Peace confirmed the captain was immediately grounded for failing to follow Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and ignoring his co-pilot’s go-around call. However, it clarified that the disciplinary action was unrelated to substance abuse allegations, since test results were never shared with the airline.
The airline defended the professionalism of the co-pilot, who reportedly advised a go-around when the captain failed to follow standard landing procedures. Air Peace stated that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) cleared him to resume duties, evidence that he was not impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Air Peace announced that it would strengthen monitoring mechanisms and intensify crew training in Enhanced Crew Resource Management. It also pledged to increase the frequency of internal alcohol and drug testing if new evidence later confirms the NSIB’s findings.
The airline reaffirmed its IOSA certification, describing it as proof of adherence to global aviation safety benchmarks. It reassured passengers and the Nigerian public that its long-standing reputation for safety and transparency remains intact, and that it will never compromise on operational integrity.