Air Peace announced the suspension of all flights to and from Benin Airport in a statement on Thursday, citing a runway incursion that led to the airport's closure. The Nigerian airline stated that the temporary measure, which affects all its scheduled operations to the airport, was implemented due to "circumstances beyond the airline’s control," as relevant authorities work to restore normal operations. The airline disclosed this decision in a statement released on Thursday.
"Air Peace wishes to inform its valued customers and the general public that all flights to and from Benin Airport have been temporarily suspended today following the closure of the airport’s runway due to a runway incursion," the airline said in a statement. The suspension is directly attributed to the temporary closure of the airport’s runway. Air Peace expressed regret for the disruption, appealing to affected passengers for patience and understanding during this period.
Incident Details and Safety
An Enugu Air Embraer E170 aircraft, operating Flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin, was involved in a runway excursion at Benin Airport on Thursday. The incident occurred as the aircraft overran the end of Runway 05 while landing. This critical event led to the immediate closure of the runway. All 63 passengers and the five crew members aboard the aircraft were safely accounted for following the event, ensuring no loss of life or severe injuries. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported among those on board. The runway excursion prompted the temporary closure of the airport, affecting flight operations for airlines, including Air Peace, which subsequently announced the suspension of its services to and from Benin. Investigations into the precise cause of the runway incident are expected to commence swiftly.
Regulatory Investigation Underway
The runway at Benin Airport was closed following a runway incursion, prompting Air Peace to suspend its flights to and from the location. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that it is investigating the incident. The bureau announced that a preliminary report on the runway excursion would be issued within 30 days. This report is expected to detail initial findings regarding the circumstances that led to the event, providing key insights into the sequence of events. The NSIB's investigation will aim to determine the precise cause and contributing factors of the incident involving the Enugu Air Embraer E170 aircraft. The incident occurred after the aircraft overran the end of Runway 05 while landing at the Benin Airport on Thursday.
Airline Statement and Impact
Air Peace attributed its decision to suspend operations to the temporary closure of Benin Airport's runway. The airline stated that the suspension affects all its scheduled operations to the airport, ensuring a full halt to its services at this location. This measure is expected to remain in effect until July 23, 2026, indicating a prolonged disruption to air travel services at the location. The airline had previously informed customers about the temporary suspension, citing circumstances beyond its control as authorities work to resolve the situation at the airport. The airline's statement on Thursday explicitly detailed the reasons for the suspension, including the runway closure that occurred after a runway incursion.
Broader Context and Future
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has commenced an investigation into the incident at Benin Airport. This inquiry follows the runway excursion involving an Enugu Air Embraer E170 aircraft, which occurred after the aircraft overran the end of Runway 05 while landing at the Benin Airport on Thursday. The NSIB will issue a preliminary report within 30 days of the incident, providing initial findings regarding the circumstances. The bureau said a preliminary report would be issued within 30 days, offering transparency and initial conclusions to the public and aviation stakeholders. The bureau's investigation aims to determine the precise cause and contributing factors that led to the event. Air Peace has suspended all flights to and from Benin Airport until July 23, 2026, due to the runway closure and ongoing efforts to restore normal operations, impacting all its scheduled operations to the airport.
