Air Peace has strongly dismissed reports linking its crew to alcohol and cannabis use following a July 13, 2025, incident at Port Harcourt International Airport involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft carrying 103 passengers and crew. According to widespread media reports, preliminary findings by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) indicated traces of alcohol in some flight crew members and THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, in a cabin crew member. However, the airline clarified in a statement on its X handle that it has not received any formal communication of these findings from the NSIB and described the reports as misleading.
The airline emphasized that it operates under strict safety and compliance policies, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and alcohol. Air Peace noted that the captain of the flight involved in the incident was immediately grounded and relieved of duties for failing to follow standard go-around procedures and Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles, not for any substance use. The airline stated that if there had been evidence of alcohol or drug use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared the captain to resume flight duties.
Air Peace also highlighted that it continues to prioritize passenger safety, transparency, and compliance, and reiterated its commitment to rigorous internal monitoring, Fitness-for-Duty checks, and increased frequency of crew testing should any future confirmation of substance use emerge. The airline stressed that all actions taken were aimed at enforcing operational standards rather than reacting to unverified media claims.
