Following a runway incursion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja earlier today, Aero Contractors has apologised to its passengers.
Aero Contractors’ Flight NG 119 with a registered Boeing 737 aircraft 5N-BYQ from Lagos to Abuja had nose stuck on the runway, blocking the runway. The plane had a total of 133 passengers on board.
The aircraft, which departed the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos in the morning, had on landing at the Abuja airport at Sunday, at 10:47 a.m had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway.
A statement by the Director, of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Nigerian Safety Investigation Burea (NSIB), Dr. James Odaudu, stated that the incident led to the closure of the runway for a few hours.
He said: “The aircraft upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from Lagos and in a bid to exit the runway via A4 had its nose wheel stuck in the grass verge with its fuselage on the runway.
“Consequently, the runway was closed pending the towing of the aircraft from the runway. There was no injury or fatality.”
However, the airline in a statement said it is cooperating with the relevant agencies following the incident, confirming that all passengers were safely evacuated through a controlled disembarkation.
The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi said: “We apologise for the inconveniences caused to our customers and other airport users. Our team with the assistance of the airport management have already towed the aircraft from the taxiway.
“We are equally cooperating with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) as they carry out their investigations.
“Our mantra in Aero Contractors is safety, and our long history is a testimony to this.”
