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.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has suspended its planned enforcement of the “No Pay, No Service” directive against domestic airlines over outstanding statutory remittances following extensive consultations with stakeholders and concerns over rising aviation fuel costs.

The regulatory authority said the temporary suspension was aimed at maintaining operational stability within the aviation sector while discussions continue on how airlines can settle outstanding obligations without disrupting operations.

In a statement, the NCAA clarified that the suspension did not amount to a waiver or cancellation of debts owed by airlines, stressing that all operators remained responsible for settling outstanding statutory charges.

The authority noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had already approved a 30 per cent concession on outstanding aviation charges owed by domestic carriers as part of government efforts to cushion the impact of high Jet A1 fuel prices on the sector.

According to the NCAA, the five per cent Ticket and Cargo Sales Charge remains a statutory levy established under the Civil Aviation Act and collected by airlines on behalf of the aviation ecosystem.

The agency explained that the remittances are critical for sustaining regulatory oversight and aviation safety operations, noting that the NCAA operates on a cost-recovery basis without direct Federal Government funding for daily activities.

Reacting to the development, the Airline Operators of Nigeria welcomed ongoing engagements with government but maintained that domestic airlines were not indebted to the NCAA for regulatory services rendered.

The umbrella body for domestic carriers stated that all regulatory services provided by the NCAA were paid for in advance before delivery, including aircraft inspections, licence validations and documentation renewals.

According to the association, the disputed issue relates specifically to the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge, which it described as a statutory tax imposed on passengers rather than payment for regulatory services.

The AON further disclosed that several airlines had previously maintained dedicated accounts through which monthly remittances were processed until recent financial pressures caused by the global increase in aviation fuel costs and the Iran-Israel-USA conflict.

The association called on the Federal Government to amend the Civil Aviation Act to allow the NCAA collect statutory charges directly from passengers rather than through airlines acting as collection agents.

It argued that domestic operators currently bear additional banking and transaction costs associated with remitting the charges.

Despite the disagreement over the charges, both the NCAA and airline operators reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue aimed at preserving stability, safety and growth within Nigeria’s aviation industry.

A Lagos-bound aircraft operated by Air Peace on its London Gatwick route was forced to return safely to Nigeria after encountering airspace access issues during the journey.

The airline disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the disruption affected its scheduled Lagos–London Gatwick service of May 13, 2026.

According to the airline, the aircraft returned to Lagos after operational concerns arose involving the airspace authorities of an African country during the flight.

Air Peace stated that the decision to return the aircraft was taken in line with international aviation safety procedures while urgent clarifications were sought from the relevant authorities.

Following the incident, the airline rescheduled the London Gatwick service and immediately notified affected passengers.

The carrier added that passengers received support services, communication updates, and other necessary assistance during the disruption.

Air Peace apologised for the inconvenience caused, stressing that the situation was beyond the airline’s control.

The airline also assured the flying public of its continued commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, and efficient passenger service across its operations.