United Nigeria Airlines Suspends Benin Airport Flights After Runway Closure
United Nigeria Airlines has followed Air Peace in temporarily halting flights to and from Benin Airport. This decision comes in reaction to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) shutting down the runway after an incident involving an Enugu Air aircraft on Thursday.
The airline announced late Thursday that all operations at the airport would be suspended until further notice, coinciding with Air Peace’s earlier announcement regarding the ongoing runway closures.
In a formal statement, United Nigeria Airlines emphasized that this suspension aligns with FAAN’s regulatory directives. The airline stated, “We would like to inform our valued passengers and the general public that due to runway closure following excursions by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), all flights to and from Benin Airport have been canceled until operations resume.”
The airline expressed regret for the disruption and urged affected passengers to reach out to customer service for rebooking or travel support. “We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused by this incident and encourage affected passengers to connect with our customer services for further information and assistance. Ensuring the welfare of our passengers remains our priority,” the airline added.
United Nigeria Airlines also requested patience from the public while authorities work to restore regular operations. “We appreciate your understanding and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Your patience and trust in United Nigeria Airlines are greatly valued,” the statement continued.
The runway closure followed an incident on Thursday involving Enugu Air’s Embraer Flight E170 Flight 4264, which veered off the runway during landing. Fortunately, all 63 passengers and five crew members deplaned without injuries, and the aircraft has been secured in compliance with safety protocols.
The Nigeria Security Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the event. Investigators are evaluating the aircraft, examining runway conditions, interviewing flight crew and personnel, and reviewing flight records to pinpoint the cause of the incident.
Safety Protocols Triggered by Runway Closure
The closure of the runway serves as a standard safety measure following an aviation incident. This precaution allows emergency responders to secure the scene, facilitate aircraft recovery, preserve evidence for investigations, and conduct essential safety inspections before operations can resume.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) oversees regulatory compliance, with FAAN expected to reopen the runway once all restoration efforts and safety evaluations are satisfactorily completed.
