Air Peace Airlines has released an Airbus A320 aircraft to SmartLynx Airlines, a Latvia-based aircraft leasing company, six months after impounding the plane at Lagos airport. The airline had accused the lessor of breach of contract last November, but according to The Guardian, the aircraft was handed over after both parties reached an out-of-court settlement.
Air Peace had also alleged that the leasing company caused severe operational and financial losses exceeding $15 million in damages due to the sudden disappearance of two aircraft from its fleet, while the third plane was grounded in Lagos. Although the exact release date remains unclear, sources indicate the aircraft was returned this week and was already in Spain as of Tuesday.
Nowel Ngala, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace, had previously lamented that the withdrawal violated industry standards and agreements, noting that the aircraft were scheduled for operations and their removal led to delays and cancellations. He stated that Air Peace and SmartLynx had maintained a business relationship for four years before the incident. Ngala also revealed that Air Peace had paid over $5 million, including more than $1 million in security deposits, for the three aircraft.
When contacted, Air Peace spokesman Efe Osifo-Whiskey declined to comment immediately, promising to provide further details but had not done so by the time of reporting. Similarly, Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said he was unaware of the matter and promised to provide updates, which were not forthcoming.
