Nigeria’s Air Peace has denied suggestions that health concerns linked to Ebola were behind the airline’s decision not to continue a newly launched Caribbean service to Antigua and Barbuda, after comments by Prime Minister Gaston Browne triggered regional debate.
The dispute emerged after the airline inaugurated its direct Lagos-to-Barbados service this week, marking the first scheduled direct air link between Nigeria and Barbados.
According to Antigua Newsroom Prime Minister Browne defended Antigua’s decision not to allow the airline to operate directly into St John’s, saying his government was taking a “conservative position” amid public concern over possible exposure to Ebola.
Mr Browne reportedly said authorities had to balance regional tourism and business interests with public health considerations, particularly given fears surrounding outbreaks in parts of Africa.
But Air Peace’s Chief Commercial Officer, Noel Ngala, strongly rejected claims that Ebola fears had influenced the airline’s operations.
“We just want to clarify that Air Peace doesn’t fly into any of the countries that are affected by this virus,” Mr Ngala said during the airline’s launch events in Barbados.
He added that Nigerian aviation and health authorities had already implemented strict screening and monitoring measures at Lagos airports for passengers arriving from East Africa.
“The decision of not flying the aircraft was a strictly commercial decision,” Mr Ngala said, attributing the move to operational costs and low passenger numbers.
According to the airline official, only 24 passengers had been booked onward to Antigua on the inaugural route, making it economically unviable to continue operating the Boeing 777 to Antigua for such a small number of travellers.
Instead, Air Peace transferred the passengers in Barbados to regional carrier LIAT for the final leg to Antigua.
“We transferred these 24 passengers to our partner airline, LIAT, who successfully took them over to Antigua,” Mr Ngala said, adding that all passengers arrived safely.
The controversy has highlighted wider tensions surrounding Africa-Caribbean connectivity and lingering sensitivities over public health and border security.
The new Barbados route has been promoted as a major step in strengthening tourism, trade and cultural links between Africa and the Caribbean, particularly as regional governments seek to deepen ties with African states.
Barbadian officials have welcomed the service as part of broader efforts to position the island as a gateway between Africa and the Caribbean.
However, the debate in Antigua has exposed public anxieties surrounding disease outbreaks and international travel, despite global health agencies not listing Nigeria among countries currently affected by Ebola outbreaks.
The World Health Organization has previously noted that Ebola outbreaks in Africa are often geographically contained, with screening measures routinely introduced at international airports during periods of concern.
Air Peace has not indicated whether it still intends to pursue direct services to Antigua in the future.