The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says Runway 18L at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) has been reopened for flight operations. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, Mrs. Obiageli Orah Director, on Sunday afternoon. An Xejet aircraft arriving from Abuja to Lagos has skidded off the runway, barely 16 days after Dana Air was shut down by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authorities, the airline skidded off the runway and landed in the grass at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Saturday. Following the incident which happened at 11:29 AM, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has shut the Runway 18L of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. The Airbus with registration 5N-BZZ with 52 passengers on board, just as a fire and rescue team was on the ground to help in the evacuation of the passengers.
Confirming the incident, NSIB said: “An aircraft belonging to XeJet Airline skidded off the runway at the domestic wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport this morning. A go team has been deployed to the site of the incident.”
Just last month, Dana MD-82 aircraft was involved in a skidding off of the runway, necessitating the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to order the suspension of the carrier for a comprehensive auditing.
Last year, in November, two aircraft from two different airlines skidded off the runway, in one week.
Aero Contractors, flight NG 119 with a registered Boeing 737 aircraft 5N-BYQ from Lagos to Abuja had a total of 133 passengers on board. All passengers were safely evacuated through a controlled disembarkation.
The temporary closure of the runway by FAAN limits the airport to one single runway which is expected to lead to aircraft delays and landing.
The spokesperson of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Bimbo Olajide, confirmed that an aircraft belonging to Xejet Airlines skidded off the runway of the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport on Saturday.
She stated that a team had been deployed to the site of the incident.“Our teams are there and on top of the matter. But whether or not the runway will be reopened today, I cannot immediately answer questions on that.” NSIB spokesperson stated.