Sade Williams/Business a.m.
Air Peace losses from a sudden withdrawal of three of its wet-leased aircraft by the lessor, SmartLynx, are rising beyond the over $15 million the airline management disclosed at the beginning of the weekend.
Nowel Ngala, the airline’s chief commercial officer, explained last Friday that over the past week Air Peace experienced several operational disruptions, resulting in flight delays and cancellations due to the matter.
He said the action is a clear violation of industry standards and the agreement between both parties.
“Air Peace entered a wet-lease agreement with SmartLynx because 13 of our aircraft are currently undergoing scheduled maintenance abroad. To avoid service gaps and ensure Nigerians could continue to travel conveniently, we leased aircraft from SmartLynx. These efforts were made solely to support our passengers during peak travel periods.
“Over $5 million of our money — including over $1 million paid as security deposits for those aircraft — is with them, while they are attempting to leave Nigeria. This situation has caused over $15 million in damages to Air Peace.
“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 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 them because SmartLynx had been in default of payments to the said owners,” he said.
Ngala regretted that these aircraft had already been rostered for scheduled flights, and their sudden removal created significant gaps in its operations.
“It is important to note that other airlines that leased aircraft from SmartLynx in other parts of the world were similarly affected, confirming a broad pattern of unprofessional conduct. We consider this action by SmartLynx to be a serious breach of contract, fraudulent, and a premeditated scheme that has inflicted financial loss and reputational damage not just on Air Peace, but indirectly on the Nigerian travelling public, whom we serve with pride,” he added.
While urging the company for a refund of the money paid, the airline said despite SmartLynx’s actions, it has released three of the aircraft in question to their rightful owners in good faith, adding that “One more aircraft remains, and all we are requesting is a refund of our funds.”
Ngala revealed that this is not the first time Air Peace has been placed in a difficult situation by a fraudulent lessor, adding that SYPHAX Airlines of Tunisia vanished with over $2 million 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.”
However, Air Peace announced that despite these setbacks, some of its aircraft have completed maintenance and are returning to service.
It added that two aircraft have already arrived, and starting next week, it expects to resume full operations across all routes as more of its aircraft return.
“We regret the difficulties our passengers have experienced, and we appreciate their patience and understanding throughout this period. Air Peace remains firmly committed to providing safe, reliable, and world-class flight services. We assure the Nigerian public that we are taking every necessary step to prevent such disruptions in the future and to hold all defaulting partners accountable,” he added.
