United Nigeria Airlines: FG Summons Heads Of Aviation Agencies

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has summoned heads of aviation regulatory agencies over the recent recurring safety issues in the aviation industry.

This is coming barely a day after the recent incident involving United Nigeria Airlines, whose Lagos-Abuja bound flight was diverted to Asaba, Delta State, without the passengers knowledge.

Announcing the summon of heads of aviation agencies on his X handle on Monday, Mr. Festus Keyamo explained that a thorough assessment of recent incidents will be carried out during the meeting.

The agencies summonned include the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Federal Airport Authority Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The Minister’s tweet reads: “Due to safety concerns in the aviation sector expressed by members of the public, I have summoned the heads of the regulatory agencies to my office later today to review the incidents that are the causes of these concerns and to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to forestall future occurrence and to apply sanctions, where necessary, regarding the past incidents.’’

United Nigeria Airlines in a statement had attributed the diversion of the Lagos-Abuja flight to Asaba, Delta State capital, due to poor weather conditions.

The flight, NUA 0504, took off on Sunday from the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, and was headed for Abuja.

However, the pilot grounded the aircraft at the Asaba International Airport, without informing passengers about the diversion, thus creating confusion among the passengers onboard the Abuja bound flight.