Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: airline operations

  • Air Peace CEO says 49 bird strikes hit operations as airline pushes back on regulators

    Air Peace CEO says 49 bird strikes hit operations as airline pushes back on regulators

    2025-12-29 09:00:00
    Figures cited by Punch show Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema says the airline recorded 49 bird strikes in 2025, describing the incidents as a costly operational hazard that can ground aircraft and disrupt schedules.

    In related appearances, Onyema also complained about what he sees as disproportionate pressure on local carriers, citing taxes, compliance costs and agency actions as compounding the burden.

    ARISE News reported the comments, stressing that bird strikes can trigger maintenance downtime and cascading delays, especially when spare parts and replacement aircraft are limited.

    The disagreement adds to public debate over airfares, consumer protection scrutiny and the balance between safety enforcement and airline viability.

    ARISE quoted Onyema: “Air Peace has had 49 bird strikes…,” while Punch reported he said the strikes caused “serious operational setbacks.”

    Echotitbits take: Bird strikes are real, but passengers will ask what mitigation looks like—airport wildlife control, runway management and transparent incident reporting. Watch for FAAN/NCAA data disclosures and joint industry safety steps.

    Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/air-peace-recorded-49-bird-strikes-in-2025-allen-onyema/#google_vignette – December 29, 2025
    The Punch 2025-12-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Ground-handling mishap dents new Air Peace aircraft, sparking delays and calls for accountability

    Ground-handling mishap dents new Air Peace aircraft, sparking delays and calls for accountability

    Photo Credit: The Nation
    2025-12-27 07:01:00

    Reporting by The Nation indicates a ground-handling incident at the Lagos airport damaged a newly inducted Air Peace aircraft, forcing operational disruptions and knock-on delays for passengers.

    The incident involved ground equipment contacting the aircraft while passengers were already boarded, with the airline stressing that modern engine-area repairs can be extremely costly and time-consuming.

    Air Peace’s position is that such disruptions are not only a service failure to customers, but also a financial burden—especially when damage affects sensitive aircraft components and schedules across multiple routes.

    The episode adds to recurring tension in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem: airlines want stricter accountability for handlers, while regulators face pressure to enforce safety and compensation standards.

    Punch corroborated the development, reporting that a “ground handling vehicle damaged a new Air Peace aircraft,” while Air Peace spokesman Mike Achimugu said, “a ground handler’s conveyor belt hit the aircraft, causing damage.”

    Echotitbits take:
    Expect sharper scrutiny of handler competence, equipment condition, and ramp safety rules at major airports. What to watch next: whether the responsible handler faces penalties, and whether Air Peace pursues claims that set a stronger precedent for industry liability.

    Source: The Nation — December 26, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/ground-handling-equipment-damages-air-peaces-new-aircraft/)
    The Nation December 26, 2025

  • United flight to Tokyo returns to Dulles after reported engine issue

    United flight to Tokyo returns to Dulles after reported engine issue

    Photo Credit : Image of a United Airline Aircraft – Indian Times/AFP
    2025-12-14

    According to The Punch, a United Airlines flight bound for Tokyo returned to Washington Dulles after a technical problem shortly after departure, with the aircraft landing safely and no injuries reported.

    The Punch report said aviation authorities opened an inquiry as crews followed standard procedures to return and secure the plane.

    Reuters also reported the aircraft experienced a power loss in one engine and said the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating.

    The Associated Press similarly reported the plane experienced an engine problem and later landed safely back at Dulles.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Aviation incidents like this often lead to rapid technical review of maintenance history and any component failures—especially if they involve power loss or engine-related warnings. Watch for the FAA’s preliminary findings, any airline maintenance updates, and whether follow-up inspections extend beyond the specific aircraft.

    Source: The Punch — 14 Dec 2025 (https://punchng.com/tokyo-bound-united-plane-returns-to-washington-after-engine-fails/)