There was a drama aboard a United Nigeria Airlines flight on Sunday when it landed in Asaba, Delta State, instead of its actual destination in Abuja.
The commercial aircraft had departed the Terminal 2 of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MM2) in Lagos with passengers en the route local wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. But instead of landing in Abuja, the aircraft landed at Asaba International Airport to the amazement of the passengers, who claimed they were not informed of any reason for the diversion.
One of the passengers on the plane and an aide to the APC national chairman, Salihu Tanko Yakassai, who took to his verified X handle @Dawisu to reveal the development on Sunday, wrote: “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.
There was, however, mixed reactions on the social media with users hailing the airline for opting for the best option to avoid a tragedy while others lamented the apparent miscommunication and attendant confusion.
Meanwhile, the Airlines officially responded by confirming what actually happened.
In a press statement signed by the United Nigeria Airlines’ Head of Corporate Communications, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, on Sunday, he detailed what led to the temporary diversion of the flight to Asaba, but was silent on whether passengers on the plane were duly informed or not.
“A United Nigeria Airlines flight, NUA 0504, operating from the MM2 in Lagos enroute Abuja on Sunday, November 26, 2023, was temporarily diverted to the Asaba Internationai Airport due to poor destination weather.
“At all material time, the Pilot of the aircraft was aware of the temporary diversion and was properly briefed.
“However, a wrong announcement was made by cabin crew upon landing safely in Asaba, creating confusion among the passengers.
“Meanwhile, the aircraft has landed safely in Abuja following improvement on destination weather.
“United Nigeria Airlines remains committed to ensuring the safety of its passengers at all times,” Uchegbu stated without also saying whether the cabin crew, which made the “wrong announcement” was also pre-informed of the development or not.
