Air Peace has approved refunds for passengers affected by the disruption of its Lagos–Jamaica flight, following intervention by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The decision comes after public complaints from travellers who were unable to complete their journey to Kingston and were instead diverted to Barbados.
The NCAA confirmed that it engaged the airline’s management after reports surfaced that dozens of passengers were stranded abroad. According to the regulator, Air Peace agreed to process refunds as a goodwill gesture while discussions on the circumstances surrounding the disruption continued.
Air Peace, however, denied allegations that it abandoned passengers or misled them about the route. The airline explained that the disruption arose from transit visa issues on a planned stopover, which affected some passengers’ ability to continue to Jamaica. It said travellers were offered refunds, while some opted to travel to Barbados because Nigerians can enter the country without a visa.
The situation drew widespread attention after passengers shared accounts of being delayed, detained, or returned to Nigeria. The NCAA stated that while some travellers eventually continued to Jamaica, others could not proceed due to immigration requirements beyond the airline’s control.
Regulatory authorities say the refund process is being finalised and have assured passengers that consumer protection standards will be enforced. The incident has renewed calls for clearer communication on visa and transit requirements, particularly as Nigerian airlines expand long-haul international services. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.