It has been a rough few weeks for small airlines, as some shut down operations and declare bankruptcy.

On Nov. 14, British Channels Islands carrier Blue Islands shut down and left hundreds of passengers by abruptly canceling all flights. The regional carrier had been subsidized by the government of the autonomous British territory.

In recent years, however, it had faced increasing challenges making a dent on a £7 million ($9.21 million USD) government loan that helped maintain air service to the isolated islands.

At the end of October, fellow British regional carrier Eastern Airways similarly canceled all of its flights to Scotland and Northern England amid the same challenges of low traffic and high operational costs.

Scandinavian airlines Play and Braathens had also ceased operations during the same time period.

Nigerian airline Air Peace flights called off after four planes seized

In the African nation of Nigeria, airline Air Peace is now also experiencing significant disruption to its operations after four of its planes were seized by lessor SmartLynx.

The situation is highly unusual, as representatives of Nigeria’s main airline and current flag carrier claim that the charter airline collected over $5.5 million USD of Air Peace’s funds for the lease and is now attempting to leave Nigeria with it. (The latter airline turned to SmartLynx for plane leases as the latter’s fleet of 13 aircraft undergoes repairs and maintenance in the U.S.)

Related: A regional airline is reassuring travelers it will not go the way of bankrupt competitor

“To avoid service gaps and ensure Nigerians could continue to travel conveniently, Air Peace leased aircraft from SmartLynx in a bid to support Nigerian passengers during peak travel periods,” Air Peace Chief Commercial Officer Nowel Ngala said in a statement to local outlets.

“The disruptions were caused by the abrupt and unjustified withdrawal of four aircraft we wet-leased from SmartLynx Airlines. This withdrawal was made without prior notice, a clear violation of industry standards and the agreement between the parties.”

After the shutdown of Nigeria Air, Air Peace became the country’s flagship airline.

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Air Peace plans to resume flights: When will they restart?

With dozens of flights canceled and the future of the airline uncertain, thousands of travelers have been left stranded at airports across Nigeria.

The West African nation is the continent’s most populous and has become the flag carrier since the federal government abandoned the plan to revive Nigeria Air after the latter’s own shutdown in 2023. Multiple airlines in the country have struggled with leadership and financing.

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Air Peace passengers reported struggling to communicate with the airline after being left stranded at airports across the country as well as international destinations in England, India, and South Africa. Air Peace later announced that it would resume flights on the week of Nov. 17.

Local media reported that Irish aviation company Aer Cap has provided Air Peace with its first plane through a dry lease.

Rather than asking for refunds that the airline has not provided, even to those who had to seek alternative transportation, passengers have been advised to wait until the flight on which they were originally booked runs, likely following a delay of several days.

Related: Airline cancels all flights in bankruptcy, passengers stranded