NCAA probes airline for landing in Asaba instead of Abuja

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding United Nigeria flight NUA 0506 to Asaba and the confusion it created in the public domain.

It was reported that United Nigeria Airlines, on Sunday, November 26, said its Lagos-Abuja flight was diverted to Asaba, Delta State capital, due to poor weather conditions.

The flight, NUA 0504, took off on Sunday from the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, and was headed for Abuja.

United Nigeria Airlines also confirmed the incident.

In a statement on Sunday evening, the airline’s spokesperson, Uchegbu Achilleus-Chud, explained that the affected aircraft, NUA 0504, was “temporarily diverted to Asaba International Airport due to poor destination weather.”

Achilleus-Chud said: “A wrong announcement” by the cabin crew upon landing at Asaba was what created confusion among passengers.

“At all material time, the pilot of the aircraft was aware of the temporary diversion and was properly briefed,” he said.

But a statement signed by Captain Musa Nuhu noted that an investigation has commenced into the situation.

The agency has been reported to have also suspended all the wet-leased aircraft in the operations of United Nigeria Airlines (UNA).

The statement partly reads: “However, preliminary steps have been taken pending conclusions of ongoing investigation.

“The Authority wishes to reassure the traveling public that it will leave no stone unturned as it has always done in the past to ensure the continued safety of the aviation industry.”