The minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reiterated the government’s support for Air Peace over the recent allegation of safety violations against the airlines by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA) at Gatwick Airport.
In a press statement personally signed by the Minister titled, ‘Alleged Safety Violations By Air Peace At Gatwick Airport, United Kingdom,’ the Minister said Air Peace Airlines is the Nigerian flag carrier designated on the London route and as such enjoyed the full backing and support of the Nigerian Government in its operation.
The minister stated that the safety issues raised had since been adequately addressed by the Management of Air Peace and promptly closed to the satisfaction of the UK authorities.
The minister said, “my attention has been drawn to recent publications citing some issues allegedly relating to possible safety violations at the Gatwick Airport by Airpeace Airlines raised by Safety inspectors of the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority. We want to re-iterate that Airpeace Airlines is the Nigerian flag carrier designated on the London route and as such enjoys the full backing and support of the Nigerian Government in its operation of that route.
“I have been adequately and reliably briefed on the progress made thus far on this issue by the Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). I am informed that the safety issues raised had since been adequately addressed by the Management of Air Peace and promptly closed to the satisfaction of the UK authorities.”
Keyamo, in the statement, added that the government will continue to support and nudge Air Peace and other carriers on international routes forward in pursuit of world-class operational excellence.
“I wish to state categorically that the Federal Government has full confidence in the continued safety of the operations of all Nigerian flag carriers designated on different international routes, including Air Peace and will continue to support and nudge them forward in pursuit of world class operational excellence.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government of Nigeria has put its full weight and might behind all the local airlines designated on international routes in their endeavours in prosecuting these operations and shall provide all the necessary assistance and cooperation to ensure their success. Air Peace is no exception in this regard,” the Minister stated.