Flight P47578: Passenger Bullied Our Crew - Air Peace

West Africa's largest and Nigeria's leading airline, Air Peace, has said that a passenger on one of its recent flights from Lagos to London breached security protocol and bullied its crew members.

The airline made this assertion in an official statement on Sunday, 20 October, 2024 while responding to a video circulating on social media in which a passenger from Flight P47578, scheduled to fly from Lagos to London Gatwick on 17 October 2024, allegedly made false claims regarding the circumstances surrounding the flight's diversion to Manchester Airport.

"We categorically refute the malicious and unfounded statements made by the individual. Contrary to the passenger’s false narrative that the diversion was due to Air Peace missing its landing slot at Gatwick, the diversion was solely the result of adverse weather conditions at London, Gatwick. This decision was made in strict adherence to safety protocols."

According to the statement, which was signed by it management, "the passenger displayed deliberate and malicious conduct on this flight by forcefully moving into a business class seat, despite having an economy class ticket.

He bullied our crew in an attempt to achieve his disruptive intentions, thereby causing a safety breach on an international flight—an offense we take very seriously. These infractions, which the individual himself admitted to, will be addressed swiftly"

The claims made by the passenger are not only false but malicious, according to the statement. "The weather issues affecting London on that day were well-documented by reputable foreign media outlets, including The Telegraph UK, Daily Record UK, and City AM UK."

"As a safety-conscious airline, the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is our top priority. Due to the deterioration of weather conditions below the minimum safety threshold shortly before arrival at Gatwick, our flight crew was instructed to divert to Manchester Airport, where the flight landed safely."

Following a period of improved weather, the flight continued on its journey and successfully landed at Gatwick Airport, as earlier communicated.

While appreciating the continued trust of the flying public and pledging commitment to providing safe and reliable services, Air Peace said it "does not tolerate the dissemination of false and slanderous information intended to mislead the public or tarnish our reputation. We will not hesitate to take legal action against individuals or groups responsible for spreading such baseless allegations."