.No casualties, says Mgt.
No fewer than 68 passengers escaped what could have been a tragic air incident on Thursday, after an Enugu Air aircraft skidded off the runway while landing at the Benin Airport.
The aircraft, with Registration Number 5N-ENR, was operating an Enugu–Benin–Lagos commercial flight when the incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m.
Airport sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the aircraft overshot the runway and veered into the nearby bush after landing.
This, the sources said, triggered panic among passengers and airport officials.
A member of staff of one of the airlines operating at the airport, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying the aircraft encountered difficulty during landing.
According to the source, the aircraft’s tyres came off while it was landing on the runway.
The source, however, dismissed widespread claims that the aircraft crash-landed, insisting that it skidded off the runway and that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated.
Another airport source said officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) responded promptly to the incident.
“FAAN immediately swung into action and all the passengers were evacuated.
No casualty was recorded,” the source said.
The source added that there were 68 passengers on board the aircraft but could not confirm the exact number of crew members at the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN at the Airport, Mr Francis Oluseyi declined comment.
Oluseyi said he was not disposed to respond to the incident for now.
Meanwhile, the Enugu Air Management has confirmed that one of its aircraft experienced a runway excursion after landing at Benin Airport on Thursday, assuring the public that all passengers and crew members were safe.
In a public notice issued on Thursday after the incident, the airline said that the occupants of the aircraft were evacuated without injuries or casualties.
According to Enugu Air, the aircraft has been secured, while the relevant aviation authorities have been notified in accordance with established procedures.
The airline added that an assessment of the aircraft and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the occurrence were currently underway.
It also warned that the incident could lead to temporary adjustments to some flight schedules.
The statement added that the affected passengers would be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety, Enugu Air stated that the safety of its passengers, crew, and operations remains its highest priority.
The airline thanked passengers for their understanding and said it would continue to provide updates through its official communication channels as more information becomes available.
