Airline Clarifies Benin Landing Incident, Reaffirms Safety Commitment
Enugu Air has clarified that its aircraft's runway excursion at Benin Airport was not an air crash or an emergency landing, assuring the public that everyone on board escaped unharmed.
The airline's Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Manager, Captain Tolu Ita, made the clarification in a video released on the company's official platform, describing the occurrence as a serious aviation incident but not a crash.
According to her, the aircraft, operating a scheduled service from Lagos to Benin, landed safely before skidding off the runway after encountering hydroplaning during its landing roll.
She confirmed that all 63 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries or fatalities recorded.
Captain Ita said aviation authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, adding that the airline is cooperating fully with the process and will provide verified updates as they become available.
She reiterated that passenger safety remains Enugu Air's highest priority, stressing that the airline remains committed to maintaining the highest safety standards.
The airline also expressed appreciation to passengers, crew members, emergency responders, airport personnel, security agencies and members of the public for their swift support and cooperation following the incident.
The runway excursion occurred on Thursday when the Embraer E170 aircraft overshot the end of Runway 05 after landing at Benin Airport.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has commenced an investigation into the incident and said a preliminary report is expected within 30 days in line with aviation regulations.
Following the temporary closure of the runway, Air Peace also suspended its flights to and from Benin Airport until normal operations resume.
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