The management of Murtala Muhammed International Airport has rolled out sweeping new safety measures aimed at tightening operational discipline and reducing safety risks across Nigeria’s busiest aviation gateway.

The measures were announced after an emergency meeting of the airport’s Safety Committee, a body comprising safety managers from key airport stakeholders who regularly review operational concerns and recommend solutions.

In one of its strongest actions yet, the Committee reduced the speed limit for vehicles operating within the International Terminal Zone 1 construction corridor from 15km/h to 10km/h due to ongoing rehabilitation works at the E-Wing and D-Wing, which have significantly narrowed operational space. Authorities said fresh signage would be deployed immediately to enforce compliance, while the 15km/h limit remains applicable in ITZ 2 areas.

The newly inaugurated Airside Taskforce has also commenced operations, with responsibility for monitoring all personnel, vehicles and equipment operating within restricted airport zones.

Airport authorities warned that reckless driving, smoking, alcohol consumption and other unsafe practices on the airside would attract strict sanctions. Mandatory alcohol testing has now been introduced for relevant operators, while unserviceable vehicles and faulty equipment causing oil leaks or pavement damage will be impounded and fined.

The Committee also identified Foreign Object Debris (FOD) as a growing operational threat and consequently banned the sale of sachet alcoholic drinks within the airport environment. Officials said the decision became necessary following concerns over debris contamination capable of endangering aircraft safety.

According to the Committee, improved housekeeping, proper waste disposal and stricter environmental discipline would now be aggressively enforced across the airport.

The meeting further addressed rising incidents of fuel and oil spills, warning that organisations responsible for such violations would face sanctions, especially as the incidents continue to place pressure on Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services coverage.

On communication protocols, the Committee reaffirmed that all airside communication must operate on designated frequencies, while restricting the use of handheld radios within prohibited ranges to avoid interference with pilots and Air Traffic Control operations.

It also reiterated approved reflective jacket standards, specifying lemon green for general personnel and orange strictly for marshallers.

The Committee acknowledged additional operational challenges, including congestion at arrival halls during peak periods, baggage handling delays, damaged taxiway infrastructure, poor road conditions and access control concerns at ramp entrances.

However, the Regional General Manager assured stakeholders that all identified issues would be escalated for immediate attention.

The Committee stressed that safety remains the foundation of airport operations and urged all stakeholders to comply fully with established operational procedures and regulatory standards.

Air Peace has strengthened its operational capacity with the arrival of a newly acquired Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft aimed at supporting rising passenger demand across its network.

The aircraft, bearing registration number 5N-CGD, landed in Lagos on May 24 and immediately joined the airline’s expanding fleet as part of ongoing modernization and growth plans.

The Boeing 737-800 NG features 189 Economy Class seats and is expected to provide greater scheduling flexibility and improved connectivity on both domestic and regional routes.

According to the airline, the aircraft combines passenger comfort with operational efficiency through advanced technology, modern safety systems and fuel-saving engines.

Aviation analysts described the latest acquisition as another significant step in the continued expansion of Air Peace’s operations across Africa and beyond.

The development is also expected to increase seat capacity on major routes while enhancing schedule reliability for passengers.

The airline said the aircraft’s fuel-efficient performance supports its sustainability objectives by helping reduce operational costs and carbon emissions.

Air Peace currently operates a mixed fleet of Boeing 777s, Boeing 737s, Embraer aircraft, Dornier jets and Airbus helicopters across domestic, regional and international destinations.

Industry observers noted that the continued fleet expansion reflects growing confidence in the Nigerian aviation market and Air Peace’s ambition to position Nigeria as a leading aviation gateway in Africa.

The airline reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, service delivery and operational excellence while expanding travel opportunities for passengers across the continent.

West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has successfully launched direct scheduled commercial flights between Lagos and Barbados, opening a new air corridor aimed at strengthening connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean.

The inaugural flight, operated with the airline’s Boeing 777 aircraft on May 24, departed Lagos with over 284 passengers on board, highlighting growing travel demand between both regions.

Among dignitaries on the historic flight were the Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Nowel Ngala; Barbados High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia, Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland; renowned Nigerian actress, Temitope Olowoniyan; alongside other airline officials and passengers.

The airline said the direct service was introduced to eliminate long-standing travel difficulties experienced by passengers moving between Africa and the Caribbean, including multiple stopovers, extended transit periods and complicated visa processes associated with connecting through foreign destinations.

Industry stakeholders described the launch as a major breakthrough in regional and international connectivity, noting that the route would provide easier travel access for tourists, business travellers, diaspora communities and participants in cultural exchange programmes.

The Barbados service is also expected to boost tourism, trade, investment and stronger people-to-people relations between West Africa and Caribbean nations.

Aviation analysts say the new route further strengthens Nigeria’s position as a growing aviation hub within Africa while expanding Air Peace’s international route network into underserved markets.

The airline added that the first commercial return flight from Barbados to Lagos was scheduled for May 25, with subsequent operations planned twice monthly as part of efforts to establish a sustainable air bridge between both regions.

The development marks another milestone in Air Peace’s expanding global operations and its strategy of opening new international routes that improve connectivity and deliver practical travel solutions for passengers.