From Suleiman Idris, Lagos
Domestic carrier, Arik Air yesterday described an aborted flight on the Benin-Lagos route as precautionary following an abnormality the pilot noticed during the take-off run on the Benin airport runway.
The incident followed an earlier diversion of flight from the Osubi airstrip in Warri to Benin following the former closure by the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Monday September 3rd.
The airline said the affected aircraft operating flight W3 7631, a Bombardier CRJ900 was brought under control on the runway in the process with no damage to the aircraft and no injury to the passengers on board.
An alternative aircraft was immediately provided to fly the passengers to Lagos while the former aircraft has since been ferried to Lagos for checks/observation and maintenance.
On the diverted Warri flight to Benin, Arik Air spokesman, Mr. Adebanji Ola said NAMA had in a circular issued on August 29, 2018 said it was withdrawing Air Traffic Services (ATC) from Osubi Airport from 0000 hours on September 3, 2018 until further notice.
He explained that to “ minimise the disruption of travel plans of its valued customers, the airline… flights into Osubi Airport Warri from Lagos and Abuja would be diverted to land at the Benin Airport from Monday, September 3, 2018, until the Warri Airport is reopened.”
The Public Relations Manager advised customers, who have booked to travel to Warri with Arik Air to bear with the airline in this period as a result of the disruption of services to Osubi Airport, Warri.
Arik Air, he said regrets the inconveniences this diversion will cause its customers.
