Nigerian carrier Air Peace says aircraft damage caused during ground handling operations has resulted in approximately $42 million in lost revenue over the past 12 months, highlighting the financial consequences of ramp incidents that extend well beyond aircraft repair costs.

The airline said three aircraft have been seriously damaged by ground handling equipment during the period. Air Peace identified Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) as the ground service providers involved and said its aircraft sustain approximately two ground handling-related damage incidents per year on average.

While the handling companies have agreed to cover repair costs associated with recent incidents, Air Peace says they have declined to compensate the carrier for revenue lost while damaged aircraft were out of service.

Among the incidents was damage to a new Embraer 195-E2 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Dec. 26, 2025. Air Peace said $3.2 million has been paid toward repairs to the aircraft.

In July, a conveyor belt vehicle struck the engine of an Airbus A320 operated by Air Peace at the Lagos airport. According to reports, the incident occurred after the vehicle's driver suffered a medical emergency and lost control. The aircraft was subsequently grounded.

The airline said ground handlers have agreed to pay $3.8 million toward repairs associated with another damaged aircraft.

Air Peace argues that repair expenses represent only part of the financial impact of aircraft ground damage. When an aircraft is taken out of service, airlines can face lost ticket revenue as well as additional costs associated with transporting replacement parts and damaged components, towing aircraft and cleaning affected ramp areas. Aircraft downtime can also disrupt schedules elsewhere in an airline's network.

According to Air Peace, existing liability agreements have left those consequential losses with the airline even when a ground handling provider covers the cost of repairing the aircraft.

The dispute underscores the potentially significant operational and financial consequences of aircraft ground damage, particularly when an incident removes an aircraft from service for an extended period.