Flights disrupted as Air Peace plane runs into big antelope at Abuja airport

An Air Peace plane was forced out of operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after it struck a large antelope while taxiing on the runway.

The collision resulted in the animal’s death and left the aircraft unable to proceed with scheduled services, leading to disruptions across the airline’s flight timetable.

Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, addressed the situation via his official X handle.

According to him, “Monitoring reports yesterday indicated that an Air Peace aircraft ran into a large antelope, decimating the animal and leaving the aircraft AOG (aircraft on ground).”

He acknowledged that the affected plane’s unavailability would inevitably delay scheduled flights, although engineering teams were already attending to the aircraft. He also noted the understandable frustration passengers would feel due to the interruption.

“Incidents like this are literal illustrations of the disruptions NOT caused by the airlines (domestic or international),” he said.

Achimugu clarified that while the event was clearly beyond the airline’s control, it did not absolve them of their obligations to affected customers.

“This explainer is for illustration purposes, not to excuse airlines when they fail to do their duties to passengers,” he said.

“Even with situations like this, the airline still owes its passengers the information, refund, and other forms of care they are entitled to, and can still be sanctioned if they fail to provide the same,” Achimugu added.

The NCAA stated that efforts were ongoing to repair the aircraft and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.