Nollywood filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has criticised Air Peace after passengers, including elderly travellers, were stranded for nearly 10 hours at London Gatwick Airport without their luggage, hotel accommodation, or clear communication from the airline.
Akindele took to X on Friday to demand immediate action, revealing that passengers had been waiting since 6:30am with little information after being told a bird strike caused the disruption.
“Air Peace, this is unacceptable. Passengers (including elderly people) have been stranded since 6:30am at London Gatwick Airport with no proper communication. After hours of delay, we were told there was a bird strike and promised a hotel. Hours later, people are still sitting at baggage claim hungry, exhausted, and without their bags,” she wrote.
The filmmaker said the situation had taken a toll on vulnerable passengers, noting that elderly travellers were struggling while families remained exhausted after hours of uncertainty. “Elderly passengers are struggling. Families are tired. No clear updates. No support. Release passengers’ luggage immediately and provide the hotel you promised. Do something NOW,” she added.
In a follow-up post shared alongside a video from the scene, Akindele said there had been no improvement in the situation hours later. “Air Peace, what is going on? Since 7am at London Gatwick Airport and it’s almost 4pm — no bags, no hotel, no proper updates. Passengers are stranded. People are tired and hungry. Release the luggage and take care of your passengers NOW,” she wrote.
She said passengers were forced to sit on the floor due to exhaustion, while others remained without access to essential personal items contained in their checked baggage. “We have been here for hours without food or proper communication,” she said. “They promised a hotel, but nothing has happened.”
Responding to her initial post, Air Peace expressed regret over the incident and attributed the disruption to circumstances beyond its control. “Dear Funke @funkeakindele, we sincerely empathize with you over this experience and all inconveniences this has caused to your travel plans. Such actions are never intentional as we prioritise safety and operational efficiency, and while we strive for on-time departures, certain factors beyond our control can sometimes cause delays,” the airline said.
Air Peace added that its team was working to assist affected passengers and appealed for patience. “Rest assured our team are working at the moment to provide all affected passengers with the adequate assistance. Please bear with us during this time,” it stated.
The incident triggered reactions online, with passengers and other X users criticising the airline’s handling of the delay. An X user, Olamide, wrote: “Flight from Lagos to Gatwick today has also been cancelled for the same bird strike excuse by Air Peace. This seems to be a flimsy excuse issued when they are not fully booked.” Another user, Setin Hunkokoe, stated: “From Lagos to Benin to London you don’t have any good service. Your customer service is terrible. Never ever again.”
As of the time of filing this report, there was no confirmation from either party that the luggage had been released or that hotel accommodation had been provided.
