
AeroGenie — Seu copiloto inteligente.
Tendências
Categories
Nigeria’s Air Peace Loses $15 Million Following SmartLynx Collapse

Nigeria’s Air Peace Faces $15 Million Loss Following SmartLynx Collapse
Operational Disruptions and Financial Impact
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline, has incurred losses exceeding $15 million after the sudden withdrawal of four Airbus A320-200 aircraft wet-leased from Latvia-based SmartLynx Airlines. The unexpected removal of these aircraft last week has caused significant flight disruptions and raised concerns about the carrier’s operational stability. The incident has also sparked speculation regarding potential shifts in Nigeria’s competitive aviation market.
Nowel Ngala, Air Peace’s Chief Commercial Officer, condemned SmartLynx’s actions during a press briefing in Lagos on November 14, describing the withdrawal as a “serious breach of contract, fraudulent, and a premeditated scheme.” Ngala explained that SmartLynx pulled the aircraft without prior notice, violating both industry standards and contractual terms. He further alleged that SmartLynx had collected payments upfront from Air Peace despite being aware that the aircraft owners intended to repossess the planes due to SmartLynx’s own payment defaults. Ngala revealed that over $5 million, including more than $1 million in security deposits, remains with SmartLynx, while the abrupt aircraft removal has inflicted operational gaps and damages estimated at over $15 million.
Details of the Aircraft and Current Status
The four Airbus A320-200s were central to Air Peace’s scheduled operations. According to ch-aviation and ADS-B tracking data, the aircraft involved are ES-SAY (msn 2689), which has been parked in Lagos since November 13 and was wet-leased from SmartLynx Airlines Estonia; 9H-EDO (msn 3954), wet-leased from SmartLynx Airlines Malta and ferried from Lagos to Lourdes/Tarbes on November 11; YL-LDM (msn 2975), wet-leased from SmartLynx Airlines Riga and ferried to Lourdes/Tarbes on October 16; and 9H-IVO (ex-ES-SAB, msn 3644), wet-leased from SmartLynx’s Maltese AOC, which left Air Peace in May and is currently stored at Lourdes/Tarbes.
Ngala confirmed that Air Peace has returned three of the aircraft to their respective owners and is actively seeking reimbursement of the outstanding funds. One aircraft, likely ES-SAY, remains in Lagos.
Background and Industry Implications
This crisis follows SmartLynx Airlines’ filing for court-supervised restructuring in Latvia on October 28, subsequent to its sale to a management team and the Dutch fund Stichting Break Point Distressed Assets Management. The previous owner, Avia Solutions Group (ASG), divested its Maltese and Estonian SmartLynx subsidiaries to the Dutch fund in early November. ASG stated that the sale complied with Latvian and European Union regulations and declined further comment, noting that all future decisions rest with the new ownership.
The fallout from SmartLynx’s collapse has exposed Air Peace to heightened scrutiny regarding its financial health and operational resilience. Industry analysts suggest that competitors may seek to exploit Air Peace’s vulnerabilities, potentially altering the dynamics of Nigeria’s aviation sector. Moreover, the incident underscores broader uncertainties within the wet-lease market, as European aviation groups like ASG continue to consolidate and divest assets, compelling airlines to reevaluate their leasing strategies amid evolving industry conditions.

Uzbekistan Airways to Lease Six Additional A321neo Aircraft

What to Know Before Flying on the Airbus A350 XWB

Elevate Aviation Group Expands Maintenance Services

AICM Slot Allocations Move to US Airlines, Report Says

Abu Dhabi Aviation and Honeywell Enhance Helicopter Maintenance Services in UAE

McFarlane Aviation Acquires P. Ponk STCs for Legacy Cessna Aircraft

NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on UPS Plane Crash Involving Engine Separation

NTSB Investigates Pylon Fatigue Cracks in UPS Flight 2976 Engine Separation

EDGE Strengthens UAE Aerospace Sector Through Partnership with Etihad Engineering
