An Air Peace Embraer 195-E2 aircraft suffered significant damage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos following a ground handling incident that has raised fresh concerns about aviation safety and operational efficiency in Nigeria’s busiest airport.

The incident unfolded after passengers had boarded the aircraft, which was scheduled to operate Flight P47750 from Lagos to Accra. According to official statements from Air Peace, a luggage conveyor belt vehicle operated by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) collided with one of the aircraft’s engines. The impact resulted in a dent and tear on the thrust reverser cowling—a critical component of the engine cover—prompting immediate safety protocols and the grounding of the aircraft.

Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier, confirmed that the affected aircraft, registered as 5N-BYH, is among its newly acquired Embraer 195-E2 jets. The airline emphasized the significance of the damage, noting that the Embraer 195-E2 is part of its ongoing fleet modernization efforts. The incident not only disrupted the Lagos-Accra flight but also had a cascading effect on the airline’s operations, as the aircraft was scheduled to serve nine different sectors that day. Passengers across these routes faced delays and cancellations, with the airline expressing regret for the inconvenience caused.

“In line with aviation safety procedures, an immediate technical assessment was carried out, leading to the grounding of the aircraft. All passengers already on board were asked to disembark, causing delays and disruptions to scheduled operations,” the airline stated. The company further lamented the financial implications of the incident, highlighting that repairs involving modern aircraft engines are capital-intensive. Air Peace revealed that a similar engine cowling damage earlier in the year cost the airline approximately $3.5 million to repair.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also weighed in on the incident. Michael Achimugu, spokesperson for the NCAA, acknowledged the operational disruptions and called for calm among affected passengers. He stressed that the incident was not the fault of Air Peace, but rather a result of ground handling operations. Achimugu used the opportunity to highlight a recurring issue in the industry, stating, “Air Peace has suffered a lot of these technical issues through no fault of theirs. We need to start naming and shaming poorly trained ground handling personnel whose inefficiency costs airlines significant reputational, financial, and technical damage.”

He further indicated that the regulatory body is considering stricter measures to hold ground handling service providers accountable for such incidents. “We will now be looking to strengthen regulations in a way that also heavily sanctions service providers for incidents like this. Airlines should not be held responsible for situations like this, and passengers should be informed honestly about the reasons for disruptions caused by these unfortunate scenarios,” Achimugu said.

On the operational front, Achimugu noted that Air Peace had two standby aircraft, but both had already been deployed to cover other situations, and their seating capacities were less than that of the damaged Embraer 195-E2. This further complicated efforts to minimize passenger inconvenience.

Efforts to obtain a response from NAHCO, the ground handling company involved, were unsuccessful, as the company’s spokesperson did not respond to calls or messages seeking comment. The silence from NAHCO has fueled calls for greater transparency and accountability in ground handling operations at Nigerian airports.

The incident has reignited debate within the aviation sector about the quality of ground handling services and the need for enhanced training and oversight. Industry experts warn that repeated ground handling mishaps not only disrupt airline operations but also erode passenger confidence and impose heavy financial burdens on carriers already grappling with high operating costs.

As Air Peace works to assess the full extent of the damage and initiate repairs, the airline has assured passengers that safety remains its top priority. The company is also expected to work closely with its insurers to cover the cost of repairs, though the process may take time given the complexity of modern aircraft components.

For now, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of ground handling safety and the far-reaching consequences of lapses in airport operations. Passengers and industry stakeholders alike will be watching closely as investigations continue and as calls for reform in Nigeria’s aviation sector grow louder.