Frustrated passengers staged protests at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Saturday, September 26, 2026, after multiple Air Peace flights were delayed and at least one major service cancelled due to operational disruptions.
Videos circulating on social media captured stranded travellers voicing their anger over prolonged waits and last-minute cancellations at the airport terminal. The unrest followed widespread delays that affected Air Peace and other airlines operating from the federal capital.
Air Peace management attributed the initial problems to a scarcity of Jet A1 aviation fuel at the airport, which impacted several carriers. “The initial delays to our Abuja operations were occasioned by the unavailability of Jet A1 aviation fuel, which affected Air Peace and other airlines operating from the airport,” the airline stated. Operations resumed for most affected flights once fuel became available.
However, the airline’s Abuja–Maiduguri service could not operate as planned. Although an extension had been granted, by the time the aircraft was ready for boarding, prevailing Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions meant the flight could not continue beyond sunset. The service was subsequently cancelled.
Air Peace said it kept passengers informed throughout the disruption and provided refreshments. Those affected by the Maiduguri cancellation were offered hotel accommodation, with the flight rescheduled for the following day.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our esteemed passengers and appreciate their patience and understanding. At Air Peace, the safety and wellbeing of our passengers remain paramount,” the airline added.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s aviation sector, including fuel supply issues at major airports. No official figures on the exact number of cancelled flights or affected passengers were immediately released, but social media footage showed significant crowds of frustrated travellers at the terminal.
Further updates from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) or the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) were pending as of Sunday.
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