By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), have informed the Senate Committee on Aviation that investigations into the July 13, 2025 Air Peace runway overrun incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport are still ongoing.
The disclosure came during a one-day investigative hearing convened by the Senate, titled The Need to Strengthen Aviation Safety Following the NSIB Report on Air Peace Runway Overrun at Port Harcourt Airport. Appearing before the committee, FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, said the agency’s emergency response was swift and effective, preventing casualties in the incident.
However, the session was not without mild drama, as Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, vehemently opposed the focus of the hearing, arguing that it unfairly singled out his airline despite runway overshoots being a global aviation occurrence. Following his submission, the committee, led by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), went into a closed-door meeting with Onyema and other stakeholders.
After deliberations, the Senate Committee cleared Air Peace of any wrongdoing, saying its review of the NSIB’s preliminary report showed inconsistencies that could damage Nigeria’s aviation image if left unaddressed. Buhari added that the National Assembly may soon propose legislation mandating federal agencies and officials to patronize domestic airlines to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation industry.
