On 26 November, a Fly2Sky Airbus A320 (registered LZ-FSA) operated United Nigeria Airlines domestic flight UN504 between Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. After an uneventful landing, the cabin crew made a welcome announcement for Abuja, but passengers quickly understood they landed in Asaba, a city 400 km South of Abuja. Much to the disbelief of the passengers on board.
In a press statement, United Nigeria Airlines suggests that the crew was en route to Abuja but that the flight “temporarily diverted to Asaba due to poor weather at Abuja“. The airline added that the captain was briefed of the bad weather and that he was aware of the situation, making a diversion to Asaba. The cabin crew, however, made a “welcome in Abuja” announcement which created confusion among the passengers.
Shortly after the “diversion“, the flight headed to Abuja, which was confirmed by United Nigeria Airlines: “Meanwhile, the aircraft has landed safely in Abuja following improvement in destination weather.”
The official statement of the airline brings more confusion as clarity as – according to data, retrieved from Flightradar24 – the flight departed from the airport of Lagos, and took a direct routing towards Asaba. In normal operations, pilots fly up to the destination airport, enter holding patterns if the weather is adverse, perhaps attempt an approach (or two), and then make a decision to divert to a nearby airport.
A passenger on board seems to confirm the theory that that the pilot was given the wrong flight plan from Lagos:
Nigeria my country. We departed Lagos about an hour ago on @flyunitedng to Abuja, and upon arrival, the cabin crew confidently announced that we’ve arrived Abuja, only for us to realize that we landed in Asaba. Apparently, our pilot was given wrong flight plan from Lagos ????? pic.twitter.com/Qv4zepDiVF
— Peacock (@dawisu) November 26, 2023
We sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding on our Lagos to Abuja Flight (26/11/2023). We are currently taking steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Our flight has landed safely in Abuja and we thank you for your patience and understanding. pic.twitter.com/jZLxcgEOsX
— United Nigeria Airline (@flyunitedng) November 26, 2023
The Nigerian civil aviation authorities (NCAA) are not taking this unexpected diversion lightly as they issued this press release:
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding United Nigeria flight NUA 0506 to Asaba and the confusion it has created in the public domain. 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 continued safety of the aviation industry. Signed: Captain Musa Nuhu DGCA”
Additionally, the NCAA has declared the suspension of all wet-lease aircraft operations at United Nigeria Airlines. The airline primarily utilizes wet leased aircraft, where both planes and crews are provided by other airlines, and these flights are currently halted.
This suspension is reportedly linked to the regulatory body’s dissatisfaction with the airline’s explanation that the diversion was weather-related. There is no supporting evidence indicating weather as the cause of the diversion, especially considering that other airlines successfully landed in Abuja without encountering any issues.
PRESS RELEASE
NCAA COMMENCES INVESTIGATION INTO UNITED NIGERIA FLIGHTThe Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding United Nigeria flight NUA 0506 to Asaba and the confusion it has…. pic.twitter.com/q6gbSgwzpQ
— NigeriaCAA (@NigeriaCAA) November 27, 2023
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- Source: https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/united-nigeria-airlines/denies-landing-at-wrong-airport-suggests-bad-weather-at-destination-but/