Just in: Aviation regulatory body suspends all foreign lease aircraft of United Nigeria Airlines over controversial diversion

The aviation regulating body in Nigeria has suspended all foreign lease aircraft under United Nigeria Airlines.

The suspension by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) came barely some hours after the airline’s passenger aircraft landed in Asaba, Delta State, instead of Abuja, its actual destination.

A former Director General of the Agency, Benedict Adeyileka, confirmed the development to a Nigerian news outlet, the Daily Post.

“Just confirmed that their sub-Part G of their AOC is suspended. This means all their foreign registered aircraft are on subpart G.

“If you take the flight from Lagos to Abuja, the Captain is supposed to announce that it is landing in Asaba for whatever reason, but that was not the case.

“The director of the NCAA has the power to suspend that operation pending the investigation on the matter”.

United Nigeria Airlines has since apologised for the unfortunate event that has painted the image of the operator dark.

In a statement, the airline explained that the Sunday flight from Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, to Abuja had temporarily been diverted to Asaba in Delta State due to bad weather.

It vowed to take the needed steps to prevent future occurrences.

“We sincerely apologise for the misunderstanding on our [flight]. We are currently taking steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” it said in a statement.

The airline said the flight had landed in Abuja shortly after the confusion.