FG summons heads of aviation regulatory agencies

The federal government has summoned heads of aviation regulatory agencies over safety concerns in the sector.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced this in a post via X on Monday morning.

”Due to safety concerns in the aviation sector expressed by members of the public, I have summoned the heads of the regulatory agencies to my office later today to review the incidents that are the cause of these concerns and to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to forestall future occurrence and to apply sanctions, where necessary, regarding the past incidents,” Keyamo wrote.

The move comes after various incidents in the aviation sector in the last few weeks.

One of such cases happened on Sunday when a United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) flight from Lagos to Abuja was diverted to Asaba, Delta State, over bad weather at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The flight UNA 0504 departed the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) en-route to Abuja.

Former media aide to Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, Salihu ‘Dawisu’ Tanko Yakasai, had taken to his X page to share the story, saying the crew announced that the aircraft had landed in Abuja when they were actually in Asaba, Delta State.

He 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.”

But the airline in a statement clarifying the development explained that the temporary diversion was due to “poor destination weather.”

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

It added that a wrong announcement was made by the 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,” said the airline’s Head, Corporate Communications, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu.