Airline explains why flight en route to Abuja landed in Asaba

United Nigeria Airlines has provided an explanation for the temporary diversion of its flight from Lagos to Abuja, which unexpectedly landed at Asaba International Airport on Sunday, November 26, 2023.

The flight, NUA 0504, originally scheduled from Murtala Muhammed International Airport 2 (MM2) in Lagos to Abuja, was rerouted to Asaba International Airport. The unexpected diversion prompted confusion among passengers, who grappled with the sudden alteration to their travel plans.

Among the surprised travellers was Salihu Tanko-Yakasai, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Kano State.

“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 realise that we landed in Asaba.” Tanko-Yakasai wrote on social media.

Responding to the incident, the United Nigeria Airlines spokesperson, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, said that the diversion of the affected aircraft, NUA 0504, occurred “due to poor destination weather.”

Uchegbu stated that the pilots were well-informed about the diversion and had been properly briefed, but that there was a miscommunication with the cabin crew, who incorrectly announced the arrival in Abuja after landing in Asaba.

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

“However, a wrong announcement was made by cabin crew upon landing safely in Asaba. creating confusion among the passengers.”

He did, however, assure that the aircraft landed safely in Abuja following improvements in the weather conditions at the original destination.

“United Nigeria Airlines remains committed to ensuring the safety of its passengers at all times.”