26th November, 2023
By Taiwo Okanlawon
A United Nigeria Airline flight NUA0504, operating from the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos en route to Abuja on Sunday, landed at Asaba International Airport in Delta State.
The development, which appeared shocking to passengers, was said to be due to poor destination weather in the nation’s capital.
One of the passengers, @dawisu, who took to his verified X handle to drag the airline, lamented that, despite knowing that the flight was diverted, the cabin crew announced that they were landing in Abuja.
“Nigeria my country. We departed Lagos about an hour ago on @flyunitedng to Abuja, and upon arrival, the cabin crew confidently announced that we’ve arrived Abuja, only for us to realize that we landed in Asaba. Apparently, our pilot was given wrong flight plan from Lagos ♂️,” he tweeted.
We legit got scared sha.
Laff wan kee me 😅 pic.twitter.com/sWxbnJeDna
— Augustine (@AugustineMacky) November 26, 2023
Reacting, the airline’s management clarified that the announcement was made in error in a statement issued by its Head of Corporate Communications, Achilleu-Chud Uchegbu.
He said the aircraft’s pilot was aware of the diversion and was properly briefed.
“However, a wrong announcement was made by the cabin crew upon landing safely in Asaba, creating confusion among the passengers.”
He, however, noted that the aircraft had landed safely in Abuja following an improvement in destination weather.
Safely in Abuja! Alhamdulillah! 🤣👍 pic.twitter.com/DEjH2g3WYg
— Peacock (@dawisu) November 26, 2023