An Air Peace aircraft was forced to halt operations after it collided with an antelope while taxiing on the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, according to a video footage.
The incident, which resulted in the animal being crushed, left the aircraft classified as Aircraft on Ground (AOG) and caused disruptions to the airline’s scheduled flights.
Confirming the occurrence, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said through its Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, that such unexpected events are part of the operational challenges that sometimes lead to flight delays.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Achimugu explained, “Monitoring reports yesterday indicated that an Air Peace aircraft ran into a large antelope, decimating the animal and leaving the aircraft on ground.
As a result, flights meant to be operated by this aircraft would naturally be disrupted, even though engineers are on the ground to assess and fix the plane. Passengers waiting would naturally be infuriated.”
He added that while the incident was beyond Air Peace’s control, the airline is still responsible for promptly informing passengers, issuing refunds when necessary, and providing care.
He warned that the NCAA would sanction the airline if it failed to meet its obligations.
A source close to Air Peace clarified that the incident happened during landing and was immediately handled in line with aviation procedures.
“It happened upon landing. As an aviation procedure, the aircraft has been checked and fixed. It was not a big issue,” the source noted.
In the meantime, the NCAA has assured travelers of safety at the Abuja airport and promised to investigate how the animal found its way onto the runway, with a view to preventing a recurrence.
