The Aviation Minister has ordered an investigation into the Enugu Air runway excursion as airlines suspend Benin operations following the airport’s runway closure.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed relevant aviation agencies to investigate the runway excursion involving an Enugu Air aircraft at Benin Airport after it skidded off the runway while landing.
The incident, which occurred on July 23, forced the closure of the airport’s runway, prompting airlines to suspend flights to and from Benin. Passengers travelling through the airport face disruptions until the runway is reopened.
The directive was announced by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in a post on X on Friday. The minister said the aircraft landed successfully before skidding off the runway, describing the occurrence as a “runway excursion” in aviation terminology.
He confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safe and instructed the relevant agencies to work with Enugu Air to determine the cause of the incident.
Keyamo said the incident did not result in any casualties.
“I have been duly informed that the incident with Enugu Air yesterday in Benin is that the aircraft skidded off the runway after landing successfully (it is called ‘runway excursion’ in aviation terminology). Everyone was safe,” the minister said.
He added:
“I have directed all the relevant agencies to work closely with Enugu Air to unravel the cause.”
The affected aircraft, with registration number 5N-ENR, was carrying no fewer than 68 passengers, excluding crew members, when it veered off the runway while landing at Benin Airport.
Enugu Air says no injuries recorded
In a statement issued after the incident, Enugu Air said all passengers and crew members safely disembarked from the aircraft, with no injuries or fatalities recorded.
The airline added that the aircraft had been secured and that the relevant aviation authorities were notified in line with established procedures.
Runway closure disrupts flights as airlines suspend Benin operations
The runway excursion led to the closure of Benin Airport’s runway, disrupting scheduled flight operations.
Air Peace announced the suspension of all flights to and from Benin, saying the disruption was beyond the airline’s control and apologising to affected passengers for the inconvenience.
United Nigeria Airlines also suspended all flights to and from the airport pending the reopening of the runway.
“We wish to inform our valued passengers and the general public that, due to the closure of the runway by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as a result of an excursion, all our flights to and from Benin Airport have been cancelled pending its reopening,” the airline said.
The carrier added:
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may have caused.”
United Nigeria Airlines advised affected passengers to contact its customer service for flight rebooking and other assistance while awaiting the reopening of the airport’s runway.
