Management of Air Peace Limited has alleged that actions of fraudulent aircraft lessor, SmartLynx are responsible for the disruptions experienced in its operations across its domestic route network recently.
The airline alleged SmartLynx of illegal withdrawal of four wet leased aircraft from its fleet; resulting in reduced operational capacity and loss of $15 million in damages.
The airline which raised the allegations against its lessor it went into agreement with about four years ago, lamented that the sudden and unwarranted withdrawal of three of the aircraft on wet lease has led to the decline in its operational capacity across its domestic route network.
Air Peace affirmed that its London operations are not in anyway affected by the fraudulent withdrawal of the aircraft by the lessor saying, the withdrew aircraft were used for domestic operations.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Ikeja GRA Lagos Corporate Headquarters of tthe airline, the Chief Commercial Officer, Air Peace, Mr Nowel Ngala alleged that without any issue of default or notice, the lessor, SmartLynx withdrew its four aircraft on wet leased from the airline.
This withdrawal, he said, has caused the airline to experience several operational disruptions, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.
“Over the past week, Air Peace has experienced several operational disruptions, resulting in flight delays and cancellations., Air Peace alleged.
The cancellations according to the Chief Commercial Officer of the airline has resulted in over $15 millions damages to the Air Peace.
He explained that while the SySmartL has succeeded it taking away three of the four aircraft without a refund of the money paid for the leasing, one of the aircraft is left in the country.
“Air Peace entered a wet-lease agreement with SmartLynx because 13 of our aircraft are currently undergoing scheduled maintenance abroad. To avoid service gaps and ensure Nigerians could continue to travel conveniently, we leased aircraft from SmartLynx. These efforts were made solely to support our passengers during peak travel periods,” Ngala alleged..
“The disruptions were caused by the abrupt and unjustified withdrawal of four (4) aircraft we wet-leased from SmartLynx Airlines. This withdrawal was done without prior notice, a clear violation of industry standards and the agreement between both parties.
“What makes this even more concerning is that SmartLynx had collected money upfront from Air Peace, fully aware that the rightful owners of those aircraft would be withdrawing them because SmartLynx had been in default of payments to the said owners.,”
“Over $5 million of our money — including over $1 million paid as security deposits for those aircraft — is with them, while they are attempting to leave Nigeria. This situation has caused over $15 million in damages to Air Peace..”
Ngala who claimed that Air Peace has returned three of the wet leased to the rightful owners, however regretted that SmartLynx has failed to refund the money it collected in advance for the lease hence the fourth aircraft is withheld in Nigeria.
“These aircraft had already been rostered for scheduled flights, and their sudden removal created significant gaps in our operations.
However further investigation by African Business Travel News (ABTNEWS) revealed that other airlines that leased aircraft from SmartLynx in other parts of the world were similarly affected, confirming a broad pattern of unprofessional conduct.
This link tells more about unprofessional conduct of the alleged lessor.
https://blacklist.aero/news/6911b0eb4e47f669ca812797
Ngala however described the action of SmartLynx as a serious breach, fraudulent and premeditated scheme which has cost Air Peace and her teeming customers financial loss and reputational damage.
“We consider this action by SmartLynx to be a serious breach of contract, fraudulent, and a premeditated scheme that has inflicted financial loss and reputational damage not just on Air Peace, but indirectly on the Nigerian travelling public, whom we serve with pride,” he lamented.
Despite SmartLynx’s actions, Air Peace has released three of the aircraft in question to their rightful owners in good faith. One more aircraft remains, and all we are requesting is a refund of our funds.
Similarly, another lessor based in Tunisia. The SYPHAX Airlines is also alleged to have acted fraudulently against Air Peace. Ngala claimed that no sooner the lessor collected the agreed lease fund from Air Peace than it vanished; only to learned that it has been declared bankrupt.
He said: “This is not the first time Air Peace has been placed in a difficult situation by a fraudulent lessor. SYPHAX Airlines of Tunisia vanished with over $2 million from Air Peace and never returned—claiming they were taking their aircraft for maintenance. The aircraft was never returned, and the funds remain unaccounted for till date as the airline went into bankruptcy.”
These actions, according to Air Peace, unfortunately, reflect the challenges Nigerian carriers often face in international leasing arrangements. We cannot allow that to happen again.
Notwithstanding the challenging development, the West and Central Africa’s Africa largest carrier has allayed the fears of its across its domestic route network that the situation brought has been under control as two of its aircraft that went on maintenance have returned while another set are expected to return to service in few days to strengthen the fleet and operational capacity.
“Despite these setbacks, we are pleased to announce that some of our aircraft have completed maintenance and are returning to service.
“Two aircraft have already arrived, and starting next week, we expect to resume full operations across all our routes as more of our aircraft return,” the airline assured.
While it regretted the inconvenience the development has caused its passengers across its route network, the management of the West and Central Africa’s largest carrier reiterated the commitment of Air Peace to provide safe, reliable and world-class services.
“We regret the difficulties our passengers have experienced, and we appreciate their patience and understanding throughout this period. Air Peace remains firmly committed to providing safe, reliable, and world-class flight services. We assure the Nigerian public that we are taking every necessary step to prevent such disruptions in the future and to hold all defaulting partners accountable,” the management apologised.
