A few months after launching its much-celebrated Lagos to London route, Air Peace is under scrutiny for alleged safety violations reported by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA). The UK CAA has filed a report with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), highlighting concerns about the airline’s adherence to aviation safety regulations.
Allegations Against Air Peace
London Gatwick Airport submitted two mandatory occurrence reports to the UK CAA concerning Air Peace’s operations.
These reports, titled ‘United Kingdom SAFA Ramp Inspection Report‘ and ‘NATS Management System Safety Report,’ detailed safety violations at Gatwick Aerodrome, prompting the CAA to report the airline to the UK’s Department of Transport (DOT).
The UK Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) directed these concerns to the NCAA. In response, the NCAA sent a letter to Air Peace’s CEO, referencing the UK’s inspection report conducted at London Gatwick on April 7, 2024. This inspection focused on a B777-200 aircraft with registration number 5N-BE.
Key Findings
The UK CAA’s report highlighted several critical issues:
- Lack of operational approval for electronic flight bag (EFB) functions, with the flight captain admitting the EFB was used for navigational purposes.
- No mounting device for the EFB, no charging points, or battery backup.
- Paper charts were not readily accessible, violating OMA 46 chapter 1H.
- Flight crew unfamiliarity with approved company procedures and manuals.
- Required charts were not available within easy reach.
- Navigation plates retrieved from outside the flight deck.
- No established two-way communication with ground crew during refueling with passengers on board.
The NCAA requested Air Peace to address these findings and notify the authority of their corrective actions.
Why It Matters
Adherence to aviation safety regulations is crucial for ensuring the safe travel of passengers. Before these regulations were enforced, airline accidents were more frequent. Air Peace’s alleged violations send a concerning message about the airline’s commitment to passenger safety and potentially tarnish the reputation of Nigerian aviation on the global stage.
Bottom Line
The NCAA must take stringent measures to ensure airline safety. The recurrence of such incidents and the sidelining of safety rules point to a need for stricter oversight and enforcement to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.
