Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has publicly criticised Air Peace after passengers on a London Gatwick to Lagos flight were left stranded for nearly ten hours at Gatwick Airport on Friday, May 1, 2026, without access to their luggage, promised hotel accommodation, or timely updates from the airline.
The disruption reportedly began around 6:30 a.m. when the flight was delayed following a bird strike on the aircraft. Passengers, including elderly travellers and families, waited at the baggage claim area, growing increasingly tired and hungry as hours passed without resolution. Akindele, who was among those affected, took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the situation and demand immediate action.
“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 posted.
In a follow-up post shared with a video of weary passengers, including an elderly man resting near a stationary conveyor belt, Akindele expressed mounting frustration as the delay stretched into the afternoon.
“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.
Air Peace responded directly to Akindele’s initial post, acknowledging the inconvenience while attributing the disruption to factors beyond its control. The airline stated that such incidents are “never intentional as we prioritise safety and operational efficiency,” and noted that “certain factors beyond our control can sometimes cause delays.” It assured passengers that its team was working to provide adequate assistance and urged them to bear with the situation.
