Air Peace has rejected media claims alleging that two of its crew members tested positive for hard drugs and alcohol following an incident involving one of its aircraft at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
In a statement posted Friday on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the airline maintained that it had not received any official notification from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau concerning such findings.
“Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau. We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings, more than a month after the incident,” the airline stated.
The NSIB had earlier issued a preliminary report which implicated the flight’s captain and co-pilot, alleging they tested positive for banned substances after the aircraft skidded off the runway.
Describing the report as misleading, Air Peace emphasized its strict stance on substance abuse, reiterating that the airline maintains a zero-tolerance policy.
“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance. Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is even stricter than the regulatory eight hours before flight. Drug use is a NO-NO,” it declared.
Clarifying the situation, Air Peace explained that the captain was taken off duty not due to drug or alcohol issues, but for procedural lapses during the flight.
According to the statement, the captain was sanctioned “for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot.”
The airline also defended the co-pilot’s conduct during the flight, noting he acted professionally and had since been cleared by regulatory authorities.
“Contrary to reports in the media, the First Officer, who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the NCAA. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the NCAA would not have cleared him,” the statement read.
Air Peace stated that it would step up testing procedures should any confirmed evidence implicate the captain.
“If future results confirm the captain’s involvement with substances, it would increase the frequency of alcohol and drug tests on crew members,” the airline noted.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety, Air Peace said it continues to enhance crew training and internal compliance mechanisms.
“The importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be overemphasised. We will intensify strict fitness-for-duty checks and stronger internal monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy,” the statement added.
In conclusion, the airline reassured the public of its unwavering dedication to safety.
“We have consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implement global best practices in all aspects of our operations. Safety will never be compromised in Air Peace,” it stated.
