Air Peace Scammed Of $15m, Operations Disrupted Nationwide

By Adesina Soyooye

Nigeria’s flagship carrier, Air Peace Airline, has finally revealed why its Operations, schedule-wise, have been anything but satisfactory.

Thousands of its passengers had expressed frustration over the Airline’s penchant for delays that, atimes, last for five hours.

However, the Airline, obviously, embarrassed by the complaints has opened up to explain it was Scammed to the tune of 15 million US Dollars from a company it leased four aircrafts from.

At a Press Conference addressed by its  chief Commercial Officer, Nobel Ngala, the Airline explained that its Lessor, Smartlynx, suddenly, without notice, withdrew four aircrafts wet-leased from it.

Air Peace said it was forced to wet-lease because 13 on its fleet were currently abroad, undergoing scheduled maintenance.

Air Peace: “To avoid service gaps and ensure Nigerians could continue to travel conveniently, Air Peace leased aircraft from SmartLynx in a bid to support Nigerian passengers during peak travel periods.

“The disruptions were caused by the abrupt and unjustified withdrawal of four aircraft we wet-leased from SmartLynx Airlines. This withdrawal was done without prior notice, a clear violation of industry standards, and of the agreement between both parties.

“What makes this even more concerning is that SmartLynx had collected money upfront from Air Peace, fully aware that the rightful owners of those aircraft would be withdrawing their aircraft from them because they have been in default of payments to the said owners.”

Ngala revealed that over $5million of Air Peace money including over a million dollars paid as security deposits for the withdrawn aircraft are still with the Lessor Company which is about to allegedly run away from Nigeria.

The sad situation, he said,  has caused Air Peace over 15 million dollars in damages.

His words: “What makes this even more concerning is that SmartLynx had collected money upfront from Air Peace, fully aware that the rightfully owners of those aircraft would be withdrawing their aircraft from them because they have been in default of payments to the said owners.”

The four aircraft had, before their sudden withdrawal,  already been rostered for scheduled flights.

He, also revealed that this sad tale is not exclusive to Air Peace, as other airlines which leased aircraft from SmartLynx from other parts of the world are similarly affected in this unprofessional conduct by SmartLynx.

“We consider this action by smartlynx to be serious breach of contract, fraudulent, and a premeditated scheme that has inflicted financial loss and reputational damage not just to Air peace but indirectly to Nigerian traveling public, whom we serve with pride.”

This is not the first time Air Peace will be scammed by a foreign company.

Air Peace: “SYPHAX Airlines of Tunisia vanished with over two million USD from Air Peace and never returned, claiming they were taking their aircraft for maintenance. The aircraft was never returned, and the funds remain unaccounted for till date as the airline went into bankruptcy.

“These actions, unfortunately, reflect the challenges Nigerian carriers often face in international leasing arrangements. We cannot allow that to happen again.”

The good news, however, is that some of the Airline’s Aircraft, sent out for maintenance are ready.

“Two aircraft have already arrived. Starting next week, we expect to resume full operations across all our routes as more of our aircraft return”, Ngala said.