Air Peace has released Airbus A320 aircraft to the Latvia-linked aircraft leasing company, SmartLynx Airlines, six months after impounding the aircraft at the Lagos airport.

The airline had, last November, accused the leasing company of breach of contract, but The Guardian learnt that the airline released the aircraft to the lessor after both parties settled the case out of court.

The airline had also accused the leasing company of inflicting severe operational and financial losses of over $15 million in damages, following the sudden disappearance of two of the company’s aircraft in the fleet of Air Peace, while it ensured that the third aeroplane was grounded in Lagos.

Although it was not clear the exact day the aircraft was released to the lessor, information gathered by The Guardian indicated that it was released this week, while the aircraft, as of Tuesday, was already in Spain.

The Chief Commercial Officer, Air Peace, Nowel Ngala, had lamented that the withdrawal was a violation of industry standards and agreement between both parties, saying the aircraft had been scheduled for operations and their removal resulted in delays and cancellations.

Ngala stated that Air Peace and SmartLynx had been in business for four years before the development.

Ngala also informed that Air Peace had paid over $5 million, including over $1 million as security deposits for the three aircraft.

When contacted, the Spokesman for Air Peace, Efe Osifo-Whiskey, declined to comment on the issue immediately. He promised to get back to The Guardian, but as of the time of filing this report, he had yet to do so.

Also, the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, said he was not aware of the matter at the time The Guardian contacted him.

He also promised to provide updated information on the matter, which he had yet to do as of the time of filing this report.