Air Peace airlines, yesterday, denied the report of being blacklisted by aircraft lessors over breaches of contractual obligations. The leading local carrier said it consistently operates with the highest standards of ethics and professionalism since inception in 2014, and contrary to claims in the media.

A media outfit, not The Guardian, recently reported that Air Peace, among others, had been flagged for contract breaches and blacklisted by international lessors.

Air Peace management, in a statement yesterday, stated that contrary to the report, “Air Peace has never dry-leased any aircraft since the inception of the airline and, as such, couldn’t have breached a non-existent contract and has never been blacklisted by any lessor.”

The management said that the airline’s financial dealings were always conducted with integrity and transparency, with no breaches of payment terms.

“Our operations remain robust and compliant with all relevant regulatory and industry standards. Air Peace is committed to maintaining excellent service and operational efficiency, setting a benchmark in the West African aviation sector. Therefore, the inclusion of Air Peace in the said publication is both misleading and damaging to our reputation. The allegations are completely unfounded and have no basis in reality.

“Air Peace, by virtue of its vantage position and rising profile, has been subjected to several smear campaigns aimed at distracting it from its ultimate goal of connecting cities and generally improving aviation travel within Nigeria, Africa and the world at large,” the statement read in part.