Nigeria's leading airline, Air Peace has firmly refuted allegations circulating on social media about a supposed plane crash involving one of its aircraft in the Western Sahara region.
The airline described these claims as "false and malicious," emphasizing that they were a deliberate attempt to tarnish its impeccable safety record. This statement was issued by Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, the Head of Corporate Communications for Air Peace, from Lagos.
The rumors suggested that the alleged crash resulted in fatalities, including the death of a prominent individual. However, Air Peace categorically denied these claims, stating, "We categorically state that this information is false and malicious."
The airline further explained that the images accompanying the false reports were AI-generated and did not depict any real incidents. They urged the public to disregard such disinformation and rely on official channels for accurate updates regarding Air Peace operations.
This incident is not isolated, as Air Peace has faced similar challenges in the past. On December 26, an X user had falsely claimed that a crash involving the airline’s aircraft had claimed the lives of 50 persons. Such misinformation campaigns have been a recurring issue for the airline, which prides itself on maintaining high safety standards.
Air Peace, founded in 2014 by Nigerian lawyer and businessman Allen Onyema, has grown to become West Africa's largest airline. With a fleet size of 31 aircraft, including its subsidiary Air Peace Hopper with eight aircraft, the airline operates from its main hub at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Safety remains the core value of Air Peace, as emphasized by the company: "Safety is our most important performance metric, the number one core value and is fundamental to our overall operational and managerial excellence."
In recent developments, Air Peace placed a firm order for five new Embraer E175 aircraft in September 2023, demonstrating its commitment to expanding and modernizing its fleet. Despite facing challenges such as accusations of exploitative fares and flight cancellations, the airline continues to focus on providing safe and superior service in every aspect of air travel.
The airline's founder, Allen Onyema, has been vocal about his vision for Air Peace, stating that he started the airline to provide economic opportunities to Nigerian youth. This mission aligns with the company's efforts to maintain a strong safety record and deliver quality service to its passengers.
In response to the false crash allegations, Air Peace reiterated its dedication to transparency and accuracy in communication. The airline advised the public to verify information through official sources and avoid spreading unverified news that could harm its reputation.
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