Air Peace Evacuation Flight Delayed in Johannesburg

An Air Peace evacuation flight to bring stranded Nigerians home from South Africa was delayed after a technical fault grounded the scheduled aircraft.

An Air Peace evacuation flight scheduled to return stranded Nigerians from South Africa could not proceed after the aircraft developed a cracked windshield in Johannesburg, prompting the airline to deploy a replacement aircraft. The incident reportedly happened on Tuesday before the flight was due to evacuate about 270 Nigerians.

According to sources familiar with the operation, the aircraft operating Flight P47668 was unable to continue after its windshield shattered before boarding began. Air Peace later sent another aircraft to complete the evacuation.

Responding to enquiries, Air Peace spokesperson Osifo Whiskey-Efe confirmed that the aircraft developed “a technical issue” after arriving at OR Tambo International Airport. He explained that a routine post-flight inspection detected a crack on the co-pilot’s side windshield, leading the airline to withdraw the aircraft from service in line with its safety procedures.

The spokesperson said the airline informed the relevant government authorities and affected passengers about the situation. Air Peace also provided hotel accommodation and refreshments for the stranded passengers before dispatching a replacement Boeing 777 from Lagos.

“The replacement Boeing 777 has since departed Lagos for Johannesburg and is expected to return the evacuees to Nigeria tomorrow,” he said, adding that the airline would never compromise operational safety to keep to flight schedules.

The Federal Government approved the evacuation following renewed xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in South Africa. Although prospective returnees were initially expected to pay for the flights, the government later made the exercise free after President Bola Tinubu approved funding.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said more than 1,000 Nigerians registered for the voluntary repatriation, with five Air Peace evacuation flights planned as part of the operation.

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