The United Nigeria Airlines has clarified why its Abuja bound aircraft from Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal two (MMA2, Lagos, on Sunday diverted to Asaba Airport in Delta State, saying it was a case of poor destination weather.
The airline also stated that the confusion among the passengers as was seen in a viral video on social media was as a result of a wrong announcement made by the cabin crew on arrival at Asaba Airport.
UNA in a statement signed by its spokesman, Achilleus Uchegbu, indicated that the aircraft eventually landed safely in Abuja following improvement in the weather.
“A United Nigeria Airlines flight, NUA 0504, operating from the MM2 in Lagos enroute Abuja on Sunday, November 26, 2023, was temporarily diverted to the Asaba International Airport due to poor destination weather.
“At all material time, the Pilot of the aircraft was aware of the temporary diversion and was properly briefed.
“However, a wrong announcement was made by the cabin crew upon landing safely in Asaba, creating confusion among the passengers.
“Meanwhile, the aircraft has landed safely in Abuja following improvement on destination weather,” the statement read.
“United Nigeria Airlines remains committed to ensuring the safety of its passengers at all times,” it assured.
However, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) today (Monday) announced that it has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding United Nigeria flight NUA 0506 to Asaba and the confusion it has created in the public domain.
It added that in any case preliminary steps have been taken pending conclusions of ongoing investigation.
The NCAA while announcing this reassured the traveling public that it will leave no stone unturned as it has always done in the past to ensure continued safety of the aviation industry.