Air Peace Reveals $1M+ Repair Costs After 49 Bird Strikes and Ground Damage Incidents

December 29, 2025 at 12:03 AM•3 min read

Air Peace, Nigeria's largest airline, disclosed significant operational losses from 49 bird strikes and a ground handling incident on a new Embraer 195-E2 jet, with one repair alone

Key Points

1Air Peace reported 49 bird strikes between January and September, leading to costly delays and disruptions.
2A recent ground handling incident on a new Embraer 195-E2 jet caused damage costing over $1 million to repair.
3The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called for stricter regulations and sanctions against ground handling service providers.
4CEO Allen Onyema cited ground damage, frequent bird strikes, and excessive taxation as major financial burdens on Nigerian airlines.

Nigeria's largest carrier, Air Peace, is facing significant financial strain. The airline cited a wave of operational challenges. These include frequent bird strikes and costly ground handling accidents.

Ground Damage and Repair Costs

Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema recently spoke on Arise TV. He revealed a brand-new aircraft was damaged on the ground. The incident involved a luggage conveyor belt truck. It belonged to the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO).

The damaged plane was an Embraer 195-E2 jet. It was valued at over $85 million. The collision damaged the engine's thrust reverser cowling. Repairing this damage will cost over $1 million. Some similar engine cowling repairs have cost up to $3.5 million. This type of damage grounds the aircraft immediately.

Onyema also recounted another severe incident. A new Boeing 777 engine arrived after a three-year delay. A ground handler then pierced the center of the unit. The engine alone is valued around $18 million. Such incidents highlight the financial risks of third-party ground operations.

The High Cost of Bird Strikes

Beyond ground handling, Air Peace reported 49 bird-strike incidents. These occurred across Nigeria between January and September. A single bird strike can lead to an Aircraft on Ground (AOG) status. This can cripple an aircraft for weeks. Engine ingestion is a major threat. It often causes costly delays and disruptions.

Globally, wildlife strikes cost commercial aviation up to $1.2 billion annually. Engine replacement alone can cost several million dollars. The cost of a single bird strike repair can exceed $3 million.

Industry and Regulatory Response

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the ground handling incident. The NCAA Director of Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, called for stricter oversight. He urged heavier sanctions on service providers. This aims to improve aviation safety and operational efficiency.

Onyema also addressed broader challenges. He criticized heavy, multiple taxes on Nigerian airlines. He claimed that only about N81,000 of a N350,000 ticket goes to the airline. He advocates for airlines to handle their own ground operations. This, he argues, would improve safety and efficiency.

Nigerian airlines also face criticism over airfare pricing. Onyema dismissed claims of price-fixing. He noted that domestic fares remain relatively cheap. Some tickets are as low as N115,000 (less than $60). The industry is trapped between high operating costs and low consumer affordability. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.

Key Details

Air Peace reported 49 bird strikes from January to September.
One ground handling incident on a new Embraer 195-E2 will cost over $1 million to repair.
The NCAA is considering stricter regulations for ground handling companies.
The CEO highlighted multiple taxation as an unsustainable burden on local carriers.