NCAA sanctions United Nigeria over Flight diversion

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the diversion of a Lagos-Abuja bound flight to Asaba on Sunday.

To this end the authority has suspended the operations of two wet-leased aircraft in the fleet of the airline.

It was learnt that the suspension was communicated to the airline via a letter, on Monday.

Our correspondent reports that there was confusion in the industry when the NUA flight 0506 heading for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from the Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal two (MMA2), Lagos, landed in Asaba, Delta State.

The airline later issued a statement that the diversion was due to weather while the flight crew announced the flight had landed in Abuja.

The NCAA later intervened by investigating the circumstances surrounding the diversion.

It was learnt that information from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) contradicted the statement of the airline that the diversion was due to weather.

In a statement, the Director-General Civil Aviation, Capt. Musa Nuhu said the authority had commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and “the confusion it has created in the public domain.”

He said, “However, preliminary steps have been taken pending conclusions of ongoing investigation. The Authority wishes to reassure the traveling public that it will leave no stone unturned as it has always done in the past to ensure continued safety of the aviation industry.”