How thunderstorm delayed Air Peace aircraft from descending into Abuja airport

Air Peace has clarified a recent incident involving its flight P47171 from Benin to Abuja on 25th April, 2025 during the aircraft’s descent.

In a statement by Ejike Ndiulo, head of corporate communications, Air Peace on Saturday, he explained that during the aircraft descent into Abuja, the flight encountered turbulence as a result of adverse weather conditions, including thunderstorm.

Ndiulo stated that in line with global aviation safety standard, “our crew activated appropriate safety protocols and held in a holding pattern until weather conditions improved.”

BusinessDay’s checks show that when an aircraft is held in a holding pattern, it means the plane is instructed to fly a specific course around a designated point (the holding fix) while waiting for permission from air traffic control to proceed with its planned route, approach, or landing.

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This is often due to factors like traffic congestion, weather delays, or other operational issues.

In essence, a holding pattern is a temporary waiting area for aircraft, allowing them to remain airborne while awaiting further instructions or clearance from air traffic control.

“We are pleased to confirm that the aircraft landed safely and the passengers disembarked normally. Air Peace is unwavering in its commitment in ensuring the highest standards of safety across all our operations,” the airline added.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.