Air Peace has confirmed that one of its Airbus A320 aircraft was significantly damaged on the ground at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (MMA1), Lagos, after a baggage conveyor belt vehicle operated by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) crashed into one of the aircraft’s engines.

The airline disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the incident occurred shortly after the aircraft completed Flight P47427 from Kano and passengers had safely disembarked.

According to Air Peace, the NAHCO ground handling equipment struck the aircraft’s engine, causing extensive damage and rendering the aircraft completely unserviceable.

The airline said the incident has had a major impact on its operations because the affected Airbus A320 had been scheduled to operate multiple flights across its network in the coming days.

As a result, Air Peace said several scheduled flights are expected to experience delays, while some services may be cancelled as the airline adjusts its fleet to minimise the disruption.

The airline apologised to passengers whose travel plans may be affected, assuring them that its operational and customer service teams are working to provide alternative travel arrangements and other necessary assistance.

“At Air Peace, the safety of our passengers, crew, and equipment remains our highest priority,” the airline stated.

Air Peace added that it is working closely with NAHCO and the relevant aviation authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and implement measures to prevent a recurrence.

The airline also thanked its customers for their patience, understanding and continued support as it manages the operational challenges arising from the ground handling incident.