The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, in Abuja has been temporarily shut down following an incident involving an Allied Air flight.
Reports indicate that the aircraft experienced a tyre burst upon landing on Wednesday, resulting in the plane skidding off the runway.
The aircraft is currently stuck near the runway, prompting airport authorities to close operations temporarily until the plane can be safely towed away.
The closure has caused disruptions to flight schedules, and efforts are underway to resolve the situation swiftly. Passengers are advised to stay updated with their respective airlines for further information.
A source at the NAIA, who spoke to Daily Trust correspondent, said, “We are still at the air side at the moment where the incident happened and efforts are ongoing to reopen the runway.”
The incident was said to have caused significant disruptions, with several departures delayed as authorities work to clear the affected runway.
However there were no injuries to the passengers even as emergency officials are on site.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, confirmed the incident in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah.
The statement read: “At 10:05am on December 11, 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT skidded off Runway 22 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with five (5) souls on board with no reported injury.
“They were all safely evacuated and taken to the FAAN clinic for further checks. The Airport Emergency response team is on the scene along with accident investigators. The runway is being cleared and is expected to reopen for operations as soon as possible.
“We would like to thank the aviation community and the general public for their understanding and patience. We also request that all speculation be put on hold until the preliminary report is released by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).”
|DailyTrust|
