Bird Strike Grounds Air Peace Gatwick Flight Leaving Passengers Stranded for Hours

A bird strike at Gatwick Airport forces Air Peace to ground its London-Lagos flight, leading to passenger complaints over delays and lack of welfare.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 2, 2026, 5:55 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Premium Times

Technical Disruption at Gatwick Airport

Air Peace Limited has confirmed the grounding of its Gatwick to Lagos service following a bird strike incident on Friday. The airline stated that the collision necessitated an immediate withdrawal of the aircraft from service to undergo comprehensive inspections and necessary safety checks. According to aviation regulations, such incidents are treated as force majeure events, requiring strict adherence to safety grounded protocols. While the airline described the disruption as unforeseen, the technical failure led to the total cancellation of the scheduled flight, sparking a significant logistical challenge for the carrier and its customers.

Public Outcry Over Passenger Welfare

The disruption drew intense public scrutiny after Nollywood actress Funke Akindele shared a video detailing the conditions at the airport. Akindele and other passengers reported being stranded since 6:30 a.m. without adequate care or clear updates from airline representatives. Travelers expressed frustration over being left hungry and exhausted, specifically highlighting the plight of elderly passengers who were forced to wait for hours. The actress noted a significant lack of proper communication regarding hotel accommodations and the status of checked baggage, which remained inaccessible long after the flight was officially grounded.

Airline Denies Allegations of Neglect

In a follow up statement, Air Peace insisted that the situation had been misrepresented in social media reports. The airline maintained that it did not abandon its passengers and that communication was active throughout the disruption. According to the carrier, hotel accommodations were secured at a facility near Gatwick Airport, but movement was hindered by external factors. Air Peace officials argued that they made every effort to ensure passenger comfort despite the sudden nature of the bird strike, which complicated the immediate deployment of alternative flight arrangements.