Air Peace, Nigeria’s flag carrier, has responded to allegations of safety violations in the United Kingdom. The airline, in a statement on Monday, asserted that its operations have been under intense scrutiny by authorities since its inaugural flight to London.

The allegations stem from a report titled "Ramp Inspection," dated April 7, in which the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) raised concerns about Air Peace’s compliance with certain UK safety regulations. The UK CAA claimed that Air Peace was using Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) functions without operational approval.

However, Air Peace described the report as false, stating that it had obtained the necessary approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

“Our attention has been drawn to media reports alleging a safety breach by Air Peace in the United Kingdom, which contain a lot of falsehoods aimed at creating fears and doubts in the minds of the flying public,”

Air Peace stated. “From the commencement of our inaugural flight to London, our operations have been subjected to intense scrutiny by the relevant authorities, which we most welcome as we pride ourselves in our continued pursuit of operational excellence and unwavering commitment to the safety and security of our esteemed passengers."

The airline confirmed that the UK CAA contacted Air Peace after a statutory Ramp Inspection on April 7, 2024, requesting clarification on the use of the EFB and other concerns. Air Peace provided the necessary information, resolving the matter without issues.

“It is, therefore, wrong to say we do not have approval for our EFB. Air Peace received approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and all our Boeing 777 aircraft are certified to operate with EFBs,” the airline clarified.

Air Peace also addressed the claim that its B777 aircraft lacked iPad mounts and charging ports in the cockpit. The airline stated, “All B777 aircraft are equipped with charging ports in the cockpit, and we ensure that all our B777 aircraft have iPad mounts.”

Another concern raised by the UK CAA was the location of the cockpit library on the B777. The airline explained that the B777 designates two locations for storing manuals and books: one behind the captain and one under the jumpseat. During the inspection, the books were stored under the jumpseat, which is common practice.

“We understand the inspector’s preference for the books to be placed behind the captain and have ensured this preference is accommodated for all operations going forward,” Air Peace said.

Regarding the captain’s choice of runway exit after landing, Air Peace acknowledged that instead of using the middle runway exit, the captain chose to exit at the end of the runway, potentially delaying the arrival of another aircraft. The airline has addressed this matter with the captain to ensure adherence to preferred exit procedures in the future.

Air Peace emphasized that Ramp Inspection is a standard procedure conducted by aviation authorities globally, and the UK CAA followed proper protocol by notifying the NCAA of their inspection results. The airline expressed surprise at the exaggerated and sensationalized media reports on the matter, which was resolved over a month ago.

“Air Peace’s safety record is second to none, and we comply with all established safety standards,” the airline concluded.