By SUNTV Global Channel | January 2, 2026
Air Peace has agreed to refund passengers affected by the controversial Lagos–Jamaica trip that left several Nigerians stranded and deported from Barbados, following the intervention of Nigeria’s aviation regulator, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The confirmation was made on Friday by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, via a detailed statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to Achimugu, the breakthrough came after a direct phone conversation with Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, during which the airline was confronted with testimonies from passengers whose journey to Jamaica ended abruptly in Barbados.
The airline, however, insisted that the problem began during passenger profiling at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Onyema reportedly told the NCAA that some passengers were discovered to lack the required documents to transit through Antigua en route to Jamaica.
Air Peace maintained that affected passengers were offered refunds in Lagos but rejected the option, choosing instead to travel to Barbados, a visa-free destination for Nigerians.
“The airline offered to refund their fares, but the passengers declined and opted to proceed to Barbados,” Achimugu stated, quoting the airline’s explanation.
He further disclosed that Air Peace had already paid for onward tickets from Antigua to Jamaica via Liat Air, but had to abandon that arrangement because the passengers could not be cleared through Antigua.
Contrary to claims circulating online, the NCAA clarified that not all passengers were denied entry into Jamaica.
“Sixty-seven passengers were actually allowed to proceed to Jamaica,” Achimugu revealed.
He explained that only 25 passengers were stopped by immigration officials for various reasons, including inability to present onward tickets, failure to show proof of at least $100, or providing unclear information about accommodation arrangements in Jamaica.
The Air Peace chairman reportedly expressed frustration over what he described as distorted public narratives, insisting the airline was ready to defend itself in court if necessary.
Despite the conflicting accounts, the NCAA said it chose mediation over escalation to protect the image of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“In the spirit of the season and to resolve the matter quickly, I appealed to the chairman to approve refunds as a goodwill gesture. He has agreed,” Achimugu announced.
He confirmed that arrangements for the refunds are ongoing, adding that the authority is awaiting details on the refund process.
However, Achimugu stressed that regulatory action has not been dropped. The NCAA is proceeding with a formal Letter of Investigation (LOI) and may impose sanctions if Air Peace is found to have breached aviation regulations.
“The airline is open to scrutiny, and if found culpable, penalties will apply,” he said.
While the refund decision offers temporary relief to affected passengers, the incident has reignited debates around passenger documentation, airline obligations, and immigration enforcement within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments.
