Air Peace has confirmed that one of its Airbus A320 aircraft was damaged on the ground at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (MMA1) in Lagos after a baggage conveyor belt vehicle operated by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) collided with one of its engines.
The airline disclosed this in a statement issued by its management on Wednesday, stating that the incident occurred on Tuesday shortly after Flight P47427 from Kano landed safely and all passengers had disembarked.
According to Air Peace, the impact caused significant damage to the aircraft’s engine, rendering the aircraft unserviceable and disrupting its scheduled operations.
The airline said the affected Airbus A320 had been scheduled to operate several domestic flights over the coming days.
As a result, some flights may experience delays, while others could be cancelled as the airline adjusts its fleet to minimise operational disruptions.
Air Peace apologised to passengers whose travel plans may be affected, assuring them that its operations and customer service teams are working to provide alternative travel arrangements and necessary assistance.
“The safety of our passengers, crew, and equipment remains our highest priority,” the airline said.
It added that it is working closely with NAHCO and relevant aviation authorities to investigate the cause of the incident and implement measures to prevent a recurrence.
The airline also thanked passengers for their patience and understanding as efforts continue to restore normal flight operations.
Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the NAHCO staff member operating the baggage conveyor belt reportedly slumped while handling the equipment, causing it to ram into the aircraft.
The identity of the staff member had not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report. The individual is reportedly receiving medical treatment.
Air Peace and NAHCO have yet to provide further details on the staff member’s condition or the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
