Fuel Scarcity and Sunset Rules Ground Air Peace Flights in Abuja

​ABUJA — Domestic flight operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport experienced major setbacks over the weekend as Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, attributed widespread delays and subsequent cancellations to a severe shortage of aviation fuel (Jet A1) and strict sunset regulations.

​The disruption, which triggered viral social media footage of stranded passengers expressing frustration at the terminal, affected multiple domestic schedules.

​Addressing the development in an official statement, the airline’s management explained that the initial bottlenecks stemmed from a total lack of Jet A1 product at the airport, a challenge that crippled operations for Air Peace and several other carriers.

​While normal boarding procedures gradually resumed upon the eventual replenishment of fuel supplies, the knock-on effect dealt a blow to the carrier’s scheduled Abuja–Maiduguri route.

​According to the airline, although a temporary extension was initially secured to accommodate the delayed rotation, changing weather and lighting conditions rendered the extension void. Prevailing Visual Flight Rules (VFR) strictures barred the aircraft from taking off as sunset approached.

​”While an extension had initially been granted for the flight, by the time the aircraft was ready for boarding, prevailing VFR conditions meant that the extension was no longer tenable, as the flight could not operate beyond sunset,” the management noted.

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​Insisting that passenger welfare remains central to its corporate ethos, Air Peace stated that ground personnel kept affected travelers updated with regular advisories and refreshments throughout the ordeal. Furthermore, the airline secured hotel accommodations for those stranded overnight, with rescheduled flights lined up for the following day.

​Management tendered an unreserved apology for the operational hitches, reiterating its commitment to maintaining uncompromising safety standards across its network.