NEWS
Shameful: Asaba “International” Airport Fails To Land Lagos Flight, As Control Tower Says Airport Closed For The Day
Arik Air flight traveling from Lagos to Asaba, Delta State, made a sudden turn midair on Friday evening after it reached its destination but was told that the airport was “closed for the day”.
Flight W3 628 had to return to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, with the disappointed passengers.
The spokesperson of the airline, Olabanji Ola, who confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES, said, “When the pilot approached the Asaba Airport, the control tower told him it would be too late for the aircraft to take off again if it lands in the airport.
“The airport is for daylight operation because it does not have traffic lighting. So, there’s a particular time if the pilot enters the airport the plane would not be able to take off again because of sunset,” Mr. Ola said.
The incident happened around 6.15p.m., he said.
The spokesperson said that Arik was very well aware of the limitation at the Asaba airport, but that “the normal time the airport is supposed to close which the airport gave us is 6.30 p.m.”.
He, however, said that the airline was not liable for any damage the passengers may have suffered because of the incident.
“What has happened is a force majeure, the airline is not liable. In this circumstances, what we did was to reschedule the flight for next day.
“It is not as if we have canceled the flight. Any passenger that is not ready to be on the flight again, we will refund the fare,” Mr. Ola said.
Chidinma Aniakor, one of the passengers on the Arik flight, was said to have resorted to traveling by night in a bus from Lagos to Asaba in order to meet up with an important engagement.
[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
BREAKING: Appeal Court Voids Order Deregistering ADC, Four Other Political Parties
Atiku Condemns Kaduna Massacre, Says Nigerians Need Security, Not Promises
Oshiomhole Backs ‘Shoot Armed Criminals on Sight’, Says Insecurity Biggest Threat to Tinubu’s Re-election
Why Okowa Says Tinubu Deserves a Second Term to Solidify Nigeria’s Progress
US Warns Nigerians: Visa Expiry Date Does Not Determine How Long You Can Stay
We Have the Right to Deal With Illegal Migration— South Africa Fires Back at Nigeria
Fake Agency Saga: No Evidence Links Gbajabiamila to Alleged Fraud, Analyst Insists
Female Suspect Among Nine Phone Stealing Syndicate Nabbed in Asaba
2027: Obasanjo’s ‘Obi-Kwakwanso Game Plan’ Trigger Controversy as Group Accuses Him of Secretly Backing Tinubu
BREAKING: President Tinubu Declines to Meet South African Envoy Amid Renewed Xenophobia Concerns
Delta Police Arrest Two Suspects, Recover Pistols, Suspected Cocaine, Stolen Benz SUV
BBNaija Season 11: How Organisers Built a Smart Surveillance House With Nigerian Hands
‘Three Itsekiri Youth Leaders Allegedly Abducted, Lock up in Illegal Cell in Delta’
Bel Dialogue Unveils Panelists for 2026 Edition of Lecture Series
