Air Peace alleges $42m loss to poor aircraft handling

Air Peace has claimed a financial loss of approximately $42 million due to repeated damage caused by ground-handling companies to its aircraft. The airline stated that three of its planes have sustained serious damage in the past 12 months, with two incidents occurring this year. According to a spokesperson for Air Peace, Efe Whiskey, the damage has occurred on average twice per year, attributed to the activities of two major ground-handling firms, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc. The airline's spokesperson confirmed that the financial losses extend beyond the direct repair costs. While the airlines bear the burden of the damages, the revenue generated during the periods when the aircraft were grounded was also lost. Whiskey noted that the loss from one aircraft alone amounts to $42 million, emphasizing that the airline incurs these losses rather than the ground-handling companies. Repair agreements have been reached with the handling companies for some of the damaged aircraft. A sum of $3.8 million has been allocated for the recent damage, while $3.2 million has already been spent on repairs for an aircraft damaged on Boxing Day. These figures represent partial compensation for the airline's financial strain. Additional expenses have arisen from the need to transport damaged aircraft components overseas for repairs. The spokesperson mentioned that transporting parts abroad can incur costs upwards of $40 million. Furthermore, towing and cleaning expenses, estimated at around $700 each, have also contributed to the overall financial burden. Whiskey expressed concerns about potential future incidents, citing historical data indicating a pattern of damage. He noted that according to insurance predictions, the likelihood of further damage remains high, given the frequency of such incidents in the past. A notable incident occurred in December 2025 when a ground-handling equipment malfunction led to the damage of a new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. This incident disrupted the aircraft's operations and impacted multiple flights. This event marks one of the more severe instances of damage reported by the airline. Earlier in 2023, an incident involving NAHCO equipment resulted in damage to an Air Peace aircraft at Lagos airport. The airline raised concerns regarding the incident, highlighting the recurring nature of such problems. These incidents underscore the ongoing challenges faced by Air Peace in managing its fleet under current conditions. The airline continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping for improvements in the handling practices of the ground-handling companies. As the airline prepares for potential future incidents, it remains focused on mitigating further financial losses and ensuring operational continuity. The ongoing dialogue between Air Peace and the handling companies will likely shape the next steps in addressing these persistent issues.