Air Peace has attributed the cancellation of its Abuja-Maiduguri flight on Saturday, September 26, 2026, to aviation fuel shortage at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and a subsequent restriction on operations at the Maiduguri airport. The airline confirmed that the initial delays were caused by the unavailability of Jet A1 aviation fuel, a problem that affected Air Peace and other airlines operating from the airport that day.
Fuel Shortage and Initial Delays
According to a statement posted on its official X account, Air Peace said the fuel shortage at Abuja airport triggered delays across multiple airlines on September 26, 2026. Flights resumed once fuel supplies became available, but the Abuja-Maiduguri service could not proceed as scheduled despite the recovery.
The airline explained that the control tower in Maiduguri had originally granted an extension allowing the flight to land after the standard cutoff. However, by the time boarding was about to begin in Abuja, the tower reversed its decision, informing the airline that the airport had reverted to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and would no longer accept arrivals after sunset.
VFR Restrictions and Flight Cancellation
VFR operations require pilots to navigate using visual references, which are not viable in low-light or night conditions, effectively grounding flights that cannot land before darkness falls. This restriction led to the cancellation of the Abuja-Maiduguri flight after the initial fuel-related delays had been resolved.
Air Peace said passengers were kept informed throughout the delays and provided with refreshments while waiting at the airport. After the cancellation was confirmed, those travelling to Maiduguri were offered hotel accommodation for the night, with Air Peace arranging for the flight to operate the following day.
Passenger Handling and Airline Response
"We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our esteemed passengers and appreciate their patience and understanding," the airline said in its statement. "At Air Peace, the safety and wellbeing of our passengers remain paramount, and we will continue to prioritise these considerations in all our operations."
The disruption follows footage and reports that had circulated on social media showing passengers voicing frustration over the delays at the Abuja airport. The incident comes amid increased scrutiny of flight delays and cancellations in Nigeria, as well as of how airlines handle passengers when services are disrupted.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that local airfares have surged by more than 100% amid a shortage of aircraft, leaving many passengers struggling to secure seats. Despite the high fares, several airlines are already fully booked on high-demand routes, with flights to popular destinations such as Asaba, Anambra, Owerri, Port Harcourt, and Enugu already sold out.
