The three-buffer-aircraft system has proven effective in absorbing shock from last-minute aircraft changes. However, this has cut into passenger availability. “Seats are fewer because planes are idle. But it’s better than having stranded travellers,” he said.

BY ANTHONY OMOH

Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has revealed a major operational shift introduced by the airline since May 12, 2025. The new strategy ensures that Air Peace buffers fleet daily by grounding three fully serviceable aircraft to serve as backup. These aircraft remain on standby and are deployed whenever unforeseen events like bird strikes or technical challenges ground active planes.

Dr. Onyema explained that the decision followed a detailed analysis of operational disruptions. Many of these were traced to factors outside the airline’s control. These include bird strikes, ground handling issues, poor airport infrastructure, and weather-related delays, all of which heavily impact scheduling. By reserving aircraft, the airline has posted over 85% on-time performance since adopting the strategy.

According to the chairman, this solution comes at a cost. “We are losing capacity and turning away paying passengers every day,” he said. “But it is a price we’re willing to pay to avoid delays and cancellations.” The measure, he explained, is part of a broader push to improve passenger experience and shift the public perception of the airline’s reliability.

Last week, Air Peace faced two serious bird strike incidents in one day — one in Owerri and another in Port Harcourt. The Port Harcourt incident happened during landing, when a large bird collided with the aircraft’s landing gear. The damage was significant, but the flight landed safely without injuries.

The Owerri bird strike, however, posed a greater danger. A bird believed to be an eagle struck the aircraft mid-flight, shattering the windshield and covering it in blood. The strike compromised visibility and risked depressurization. “The bird was huge — bigger than my lap,” said Dr. Onyema. “The windshield broke, and the situation could have been catastrophic.”

Quick-thinking pilots descended to below 10,000 feet to prevent cabin pressure loss. The aircraft, originally headed to Abuja, could not continue the journey and had to land immediately. “If they had climbed higher, there would have been decompression and passengers could have died,” Onyema stressed. “We thank God and commend the pilot’s actions.”

He added that Air Peace pilots undergo rigorous training to handle such emergencies. The airline has a special bird strike simulation program where pilots must pass scenario-based drills before flying. “You don’t fly if you fail that module,” he emphasized. “Foreign airlines often don’t go that far. We do it for safety.”

Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier by fleet and route network, records high volumes of daily operations. Onyema pointed out that the airline’s large scale contributes to the public perception of frequent delays. “If an airline operates 24 flights a day and delays seven, people notice,” he said. “But if Air Peace operates 100 flights and delays only 10, it still looks worse, even though it’s a lower percentage.”

He noted that several delays attributed to Air Peace are actually caused by systemic problems at airports. Presently, only Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano operate full 24-hour flight services. Weather delays in the morning often snowball into network-wide disruptions that affect all routes throughout the day.

“People do not consider how delays multiply,” he said. “If your first flight is delayed by rain or congestion, every subsequent leg suffers. This is the reality.”

Bird strikes are also becoming more frequent and more damaging. Over the past five years, the airline has documented at least 115 bird strike incidents. In one particular year, there were 43. This year’s count is already rising, with animal strikes also contributing to disruption. “Sometimes they cause engine damage or windshield fractures,” said Onyema. “They are not minor problems.”

To mitigate delays and keep passengers moving, Air Peace buffers fleet and restructured flight scheduling. The three-buffer-aircraft system has proven effective in absorbing shock from last-minute aircraft changes. However, this has cut into passenger availability. “Seats are fewer because planes are idle. But it’s better than having stranded travellers,” he said.

Dr. Onyema dismissed the notion that the airline is careless with timing. “We cancel only when safety is at risk. We delay when delay is necessary. We do not cut corners,” he stated. “Delays are not our culture. They are often forced on us.”

He also defended the integrity of the airline’s maintenance record and operational transparency. “You can’t hide an aircraft anymore,” he said. “With flight tracking tools like FlightRadar, people can verify aircraft location in real time.”

The Air Peace chairman urged the Nigerian flying public to understand the complexity of airline operations. He appealed for patience and recognition of the airline’s efforts to prioritize safety above all else. “You need to be alive to criticize,” he said. “We’ll rather you arrive late and safe than not arrive at all.”

By holding aircraft in reserve, enhancing pilot preparedness, and adapting its operational model, Air Peace has achieved marked improvements. Air Peace buffers fleet daily to ensure passengers reach destinations safely and on time. Despite ongoing challenges, the airline is focused on maintaining reliability while reinforcing its commitment to safety above profit.